Vernon Kay, 50, took a day off on Tuesday and Gaby Roslin presented his Radio 2 show for him while he rested due to a sore throat – but today he returned on air
BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay has shared a fresh health update after he was forced to miss his mid-morning show on Tuesday, leaving fans concerned.
On Monday, the 50-year-old was left struggling to speak due to a sore throat and was advised by doctors to get some rest and recuperate. And after just 24 hours away from work, Vernon was able to return to the airwaves today.
Opening his show on Wednesday, he described his illness as “horrific” but said he has been feeling much better after getting some rest. He said: “We’re back. We’re not 100%. But if I took another day off with a sore throat, the big fella, Norman my dad, would have killed me.”
Loyal listeners had noticed Vernon sounding exceptionally croaky as he started his show on Monday. The presenter was on hand to welcome back Zoe Ball after her long absence and admitted his voice was going. Vernon bravely continued on with his 2 and a half hour show, where he was heard launching the new Radio 2 Children in Need campaign this year which will involve new recruit Paddy McGuinness.
On Tuesday, Gaby Roslin was forced to sit in for a poorly Vernon as she revealed that the broadcaster was not feeling well enough to present to the nation. She gave fans an update an and said: “Gaby in for Vernon Kay. It’s a joy to be here. Vernon, I hope your throat is feeling better. I was listening yesterday, I love the show but did worry about your throat. So take it easy, no talking today.”
Meanwhile Zoe Ball returned to Radio 2 this week after six weeks away. On her show on Monday morning, she dubbed herself the “happy wanderer”, saying: “I have wandered back. How was your Brat summer? Was it marvellous? Have you been enjoying summer? We did that back in the ’90s, it was called something different then … bringing back memories.”
Zoe, who is the BBC’s highest-paid on-air female star, thanked her colleague and fellow radio presenter Scott Mills for “looking after you for the last few weeks”, and added: “I love you, Scott.” After playing Earth, Wind & Fire’s September, she read out a message from a listener and responded, saying: “No, I didn’t go to Turkey for new face and teeth.” Zoe also took the time to give a shout out to fellow radio stars Lauren Laverne and Jamie Theakston after the pair revealed their cancer diagnoses while she was off air.
While Zoe did not explain her absence, her son Woody gave some insight when asked after her at a showbiz event last week. The 23-year-old who stars with his mum on Celebrity Gogglebox said: “My mum and I like to keep our private lives to ourselves but I will say I have stepped up and spent a lot more time with her recently as she has always been there when I’ve had tough times. I’m glad to see her smiling.”
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