Vernon Kay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vernon Kay
Kay in 2007
Born	Vernon Charles Kay (1974-04-28) 28 April 1974 (age 51) Bolton, Greater Manchester, England
Alma mater	Manchester Metropolitan University
Occupation	Broadcaster
Years active	1995–present
Employer	BBC ITV Channel 4
Television	T4 (2000–2005) All Star Family Fortunes (2006–2015) Beat the Star (2008–2009) The Whole 19 Yards (2010) Splash! (2013–2014) 1000 Heartbeats (2015–2016)
Spouse(s)	Tess Daly ​ (m. 2003)​
Children	2

Vernon Charles Kay, born on April 28, 1974, is a well-known English TV and radio host. He also used to be a model. He became famous for hosting T4 on Channel 4 from 2000 to 2005.

Vernon has presented many popular TV shows for ITV. These include All Star Family Fortunes, Beat the Star, Splash!, and 1000 Heartbeats.

He also had his own show on BBC Radio 1 for many years. Later, he hosted a show on Radio X. Since 2018, he has been the main host for the live coverage of Formula E races around the world. In 2023, Vernon started hosting the mid-morning show on BBC Radio 2.

In 2020, Vernon was a contestant on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. He finished in third place on the show.

About Vernon's Early Life

Vernon grew up in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. His dad, Norman, was a lorry driver, and his mom was Gladys. He has a younger brother named Stephen, who is a primary school teacher.

Vernon went to St Joseph's RC High School in Horwich. He later studied environmental science at Manchester Metropolitan University. He is a big fan of his hometown football team, Bolton Wanderers.

Vernon's Career Journey

Starting as a Model

Before becoming a TV star, Vernon worked in a DIY shop. He was cutting wooden panels and just living for the weekend. A friend convinced him to go to the BBC Clothes Show Live. There, he was spotted by a modeling agency. This was the start of his career in entertainment!

Becoming a TV Star

Vernon's success as a model helped him get into television. He started by co-hosting shows for teenagers. These included T4 on Channel 4 and The Mag on Channel 5.

In 2000, he also presented Fully Booked for CBBC. He also hosted music shows like TOTP+ Plus and TOTP@Play. In 2003, he co-hosted a game show called Boys and Girls. The next year, he hosted Celebrities Under Pressure on ITV.

From 2006, Vernon hosted the popular game show All Star Family Fortunes. This show ran for many years. In 2007, he hosted Vernon Kay's Gameshow Marathon.

Between 2008 and 2009, Vernon presented Beat the Star for ITV. In 2010, he co-hosted another ITV game show called The Whole 19 Yards. He also co-hosted Skating with the Stars in the United States.

In 2011, Vernon hosted the Christmas show Home For the Holidays on Channel 4. In 2012, he presented Let's Get Gold on ITV.

From 2013 to 2014, Vernon, Gabby Logan, and Tom Daley co-hosted Splash!. This was a diving show on ITV. In 2013, Vernon also became a presenter for The American Football Show on Channel 4.

Since 2014, Vernon has been a guest host on The One Show several times. In 2015, he started hosting the quiz show 1000 Heartbeats for ITV. In 2016, he presented Drive, an entertainment show.

In 2017, Vernon co-hosted The Hero Challenge on Sky Sports. In November 2017, he began hosting Channel 5's coverage of the Formula E motor racing season. He now co-presents the worldwide coverage of the 2018–19 season.

In November 2020, Vernon joined I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. He made it to the final and finished in third place. In 2021, he hosted the British version of a new game show called Game of Talents. In 2022, he also co-hosted The Great Comic Relief Prizeathon for Red Nose Day.

Vernon on the Radio

In January 2004, Vernon joined BBC Radio 1. He hosted an entertainment show on Sundays. Later, he got the popular Saturday morning slot from 10 am to 1 pm. He often filled in for other DJs, like Chris Moyles, when they were away.

On November 9, 2012, Vernon announced he would leave BBC Radio 1. He wanted to spend more time with his family. His last show was on December 22.

Three years later, Vernon returned to radio on the new Radio X network. In September 2015, he started hosting the weekday morning show. He left Radio X in March 2017.

Vernon returned to BBC Radio in 2021. He covered for other hosts on BBC Radio 2, including Rylan Clark and Steve Wright. From March 2022, he became the regular cover for Zoe Ball on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show.

In August 2022, Vernon started his own weekly show on BBC Radio 2. It's called Vernon Kay's Dance Sounds of the 90s. In 2024, he even took this show on tour as a DJ!

On February 24, 2023, it was announced that Vernon would be the new host of BBC Radio 2's mid-morning show. He took over from Ken Bruce and started his new show on May 15, 2023.

Vernon in Films

Vernon has made a few small appearances in movies. He was in Shaun of the Dead (2004) and Keith Lemon: The Film (2012). He also had an uncredited role in Hercules (2014).

Vernon's Personal Life

On September 12, 2003, Vernon married TV presenter Tess Daly. They got married at St Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Horwich. They have two daughters together, born in 2004 and 2009.

Vernon received an honorary doctorate from the University of Bolton in 2009. This was for his contributions to entertainment.

He is a big fan of his hometown football club, Bolton Wanderers. He also loves American football. He played for the Manchester Allstars when he was 13. In 2011, he even played for the London Warriors as a defensive back.

Vernon also enjoys flying model aircraft and drones as a hobby.

Vernon's TV Shows

Television

Guest appearances

Radio

Film