Vernon Kay made the comment after venting about unrestrained rumors about who could take over as Tess Daly’s husband and Claudia Winkleman from Strictly Come Dancing.
BBC Radio 2’s Vernon Kay was quick to clarify his comments on-air this week after naming his “best” co-presenter. The television star, who has shared the screen with a host of famous faces including Alex Jones and AJ Odudu, singled out one colleague as particularly memorable.
The 51-year-old fondly recalls how a former Welsh presenter guided him through the process while he was reminiscing about his early years in television. He enthusiastically stated, “I learned a lot with the amazing Josie d’Arby,] she’s probably the best TV presenter I’ve ever worked with,” when he spoke to his co-host Ellie Brennan live on the program.
She would be able to read an A4 piece once, and it would be there. She was incredible, extremely entertaining, and she was trained to read a script. In the 1970s, Vernon and Josie collaborated on shows like TOTP@Play and The Phone Zone, a musical spin-off of Top of the Pops.
The father-of-two said Josie, who is now working in a very different field, held his hand and showed him the ropes of presenting during this time. “She really did, she was amazing,” he continued, before echoing, “Hi Jose! The best presenter I’ve ever worked with. She was so talented and lovely.
Vernon interjected to quickly clear up the situation as his co-host continued to deliver the most recent traffic updates. No offence to any of the other people I’ve worked with, he continued, “I just had a hot flush then, you’re all brilliant.”
Vernon’s comments follow his fury over speculation surrounding his wife Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s potential successors on Strictly Come Dancing.
Once the current series is over, the duo announced last month that they would be passing on the “sparkly baton” to new faces. She reflected on her “21 unforgettable years on the program” in a separate heartfelt statement shared by Tess.
She wrote in the post, “Strictly has always been about joy, celebration, and bringing people together,” and I’m so proud to have played a small part in something that still means a lot to so many.
Following their announcement, numerous celebrities have been tipped as possible replacements, with names such as La Voix, Alex Jones, Holly Willoughby, Bradley Walsh and Paddy McGuinness all in the frame.
Vernon blasted the rumors during an on-air chat with Scott Mills, saying, “It’s going to be this person, it’s going to be that person. “
“I just want to say this for the record, and I know a lot of people will listen because we are frequently quoted.” Do you sincerely believe that the hosts of the Strictly Come Dancing mid-series will hold a roundtable discussion about the schedule for the show next year? Vernon continued his tirade, saying that it can sometimes be very important to use your fingers on the keyboard.
Vernon quipped, “I tell you who it is, it’s me and Rylan [Clark],” when Scott suggested he could step in for his wife. You’re done, it’s 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.”
