Vernon Kay

Vernon Charles Kay is an English broadcaster and former model. He is widely recognized for his work across British television and radio networks, including Channel 4, ITV, and the BBC. Over the course of his career, he has presented major entertainment shows such as Channel 4's T4, ITV's All Star Family Fortunes, and various primetime game shows and live sports broadcasts.

Born on 28 April 1974, Kay grew up in Horwich, England, as the elder son of Norman, a lorry driver, and Gladys. He attended St Joseph's RC High School in Horwich and St John Rigby College in Orrell. His early employment included putting stickers on imported bananas at age 14, followed by school cleaning work across the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton. He subsequently earned a degree in environmental science from Manchester Metropolitan University.

Kay began working as a model after being scouted at the BBC Clothes Show Live in 1996 while employed at a DIY shop. During his modeling career, he featured in a PlayStation cinema advertisement and was named Model of the Week on Channel 4's The Big Breakfast. He leveraged this visibility to transition into television broadcasting, beginning with co-hosting roles on teen entertainment programs like T4 and Channel 5's The Mag, followed by children's and music shows such as Fully Booked, TOTP+ Plus, and TOTP@Play.

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Kay established himself as a prominent primetime presenter. He hosted ITV's All Star Family Fortunes from 2006 to 2015, alongside other series including Just the Two of Us, Beat the Star, The Whole 19 Yards, Splash!, 1000 Heartbeats, and Drive. His television work extended internationally when he co-hosted Skating with the Stars in the United States in 2010. Kay has also presented sports broadcasting, including Channel 4's The American Football Show starting in 2013 and live coverage of Formula E starting in 2017. In 2020, he participated in the twentieth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, finishing in third place.

In radio, Kay presented his own weekly slot on BBC Radio 1 from 2004 until 2012, later joining Radio X to host a weekday morning show between 2015 and 2017. After returning to the BBC as a regular cover presenter on Radio 2, he launched the weekly show Vernon Kay's Dance Sounds of the 90s in 2022. In May 2023, he assumed the mid-morning host position on BBC Radio 2, taking over the time slot previously held by Ken Bruce.

Kay married presenter Tess Daly in 2003, and the couple has two daughters; they announced their separation in May 2026. Outside of broadcasting, Kay has made cameo film appearances in Shaun of the Dead, Keith Lemon: The Film, and Hercules. He received an honorary doctorate from the University of Bolton in 2009 for his services to entertainment.