BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay swiftly backtracked on a comment he made this week about his “best” co-star. The 51-year-old has collaborated with numerous fellow hosts during his extensive broadcasting journey, including Alex Jones and AJ Odudu, yet maintains that one particular colleague surpasses all others.
Looking back on his early television days, Vernon remembered how a former Welsh broadcaster taught him the fundamentals of the industry. Speaking directly to his co-host Ellie Brennan during his live broadcast, he enthused: “I learned so much with the amazing Josie d’Arby, [she’s] probably the best TV presenter I’ve ever worked with.
“She could read a piece of A4 once, and it would be in there. RADA trained, knew how to read a script, she was unbelievable, so much fun.”
Vernon and Josie, of Newport, Wales, collaborated on programmes including The Phone Zone and TOTP@Play, a spin-off to the much loved Top of the Pops, throughout the 2000s.
Throughout this period, the father-of-two revealed that Josie “held [his] hand” and steered him through the presenting industry. “She really did, she was amazing,” he went on to say, before repeating: “Josie d’Arby, the best presenter I’ve ever worked with, so talented and such a lovely person, hi Jose!”.
When his co-presenter proceeded to deliver the latest traffic updates, Vernon interjected with a rapid amendment. He added: “No offence to any of the others that I’ve worked with, I just had a hot flush then, you’re all brilliant.”
Vernon’s revelation follows his frustration over rumours regarding potential replacements for his wife Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on Strictly Come Dancing.
The duo revealed last month that they would be passing on the “sparkly baton” to fresh presenters once the current series concludes.
Following their announcement, numerous celebrities have been suggested as possible successors, including La Voix, Alex Jones, Holly Willoughby, Bradley Walsh and Paddy McGuinness.
Speaking about the speculation during a radio discussion with co-presenter Scott Mills, Vernon declared: “It’s hilarious really, since Tess and Claud announced that they will be leaving all the dentist, doctors and reception magazines are all saying, ‘It’s going to be this person, it’s going to be that person’.
“Let me just say this for the record, and I know a lot of people listen to his because we get quoted a lot of times. Do you honestly think that the people at Strictly Come Dancing mid-series are going to have a roundtable about who is going to host it next year?” Vernon continued his tirade, adding: “Sometimes common sense when you put your fingers to the keyboard makes a big difference.”
When Scott suggested he could be the one to replace his wife, Vernon quipped: “I tell you who it is, it’s me and Rylan [Clark]. There you go, done, simple.”
Echoing his co-star’s sentiment that producers are currently focused on the ongoing series, Vernon agreed, saying: “It’s not even finished, as if they’ve got time! They’ve got a Christmas special to organise, just behave yourselves! Wind your necks in, it does my head in.”