As a 51-year-old dad who still loves clubbing, Radio 2 DJ Vernon Kay admits he’s a mix of being cool and cringe to his teen daughters. He jokes that he’s both the master of their guestlist and the embarrassing dad who’s always the first on the dance floor. While he might be handling everyday chores during the week, he’s still raving on Saturday nights.
With his wife Tess Daly, 56, returning to host Strictly Come Dancing alongside Claudia Winkleman, Vernon expects his weekends to be a bit quieter. He prefers to stay in when Strictly is on to make sure everything’s going smoothly at home.
Vernon says when he’s working, he keeps Strictly Come Dancing on quietly by the side of the stage. However, his daughters Phoebe, 20, and Amber, 16, aren’t always keen to watch. They’re used to the show being part of their lives and often choose to go out instead.
Vernon’s favorite contestants are always the sports stars, admiring how they throw themselves into the challenge. He believes it’s especially tough for them, as they’re used to perfection in their careers and often underestimate how hard the dancing really is.
When asked if he’d ever consider joining Strictly, Vernon says he wouldn’t think about it unless the BBC officially asked him.
His experience on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, where he finished third in the 2020 Welsh castle series—might affect his decision. He describes Strictly as an emotional journey but feels he’s already had a similar experience with the reality show.
Vernon still keeps in touch with his I’m A Celebrity campmates through an active WhatsApp group, led by Shane Richie and Victoria Derbyshire, with Beverley Callard joining in occasionally.
In June, Tess Daly was awarded an MBE for her services to broadcasting, and Vernon Kay couldn’t be prouder. They celebrated with a few corks popped, and Vernon praised how the award highlights the importance of Strictly, which has been a beloved part of British life for 21 years.
He also acknowledged the entire production team behind the scenes, calling them “magnificent.”
Vernon believes the show’s appeal lies in its relatability. The emotional stories connect with viewers, showing that beneath the glitz and glamour, the contestants share the same struggles and experiences as everyone else.
This relatability also shines through in Vernon’s Radio 2 show, where he talks openly about everything from family life to everyday slip-ups like forgetting to pay for shopping. For him, radio is like therapy, a way to connect with millions of listeners and share his thoughts naturally.
This week, Vernon is hosting Dance Sounds of the 90s at Radio 2 In The Park in Essex, an event he describes as “insane” with nonstop dancing and great vibes for nearly three hours. While he used to enjoy roughing it at festivals like Glastonbury, he’s less enthusiastic now after some tough experiences with bad weather and mud.
Thankfully, Radio 2 In The Park offers a more family-friendly and positive atmosphere that he really enjoys.
Headlining Radio 2 In The Park are big names like Bryan Adams, Def Leppard, and Anastacia, but when Vernon Kay is on duty, the partying is low-key. “We’re not at Radio 1 anymore,” he jokes.
“It’s just a couple of drinks, then ‘Oh, I’m tired, I’ll get room service.’” While some hosts like Scott Mills and Rylan Clark party into the early hours, most prefer an early night.
Fun fact: Scott Mills was the one who introduced Vernon to Tess Daly back in 2001 at the BBC Christmas party so Vernon cheekily credits Scott for playing Cupid!
Vernon and Tess tied the knot in 2003 and live in Buckinghamshire with their two daughters. He says there’s no secret to their long-lasting 22-year marriage, just good communication.
“Talking is the easiest solution. Sometimes you assume how someone will react, but it’s better to say it out loud. If it goes well, great; if not, you keep talking.”
Life at the Kay-Daly household can be hectic, especially at mealtimes. Tess does most of the cooking because she’s great at it, but things are often a bit chaotic. Vernon admits he still gets his way especially when it comes to buying new power tools or golf clubs and that the barbecue is his territory.
As parents, Vernon and Tess share responsibilities, playing good cop and bad cop alternately to keep their daughters guessing. He’s clearly very protective of Phoebe and Amber, saying, “They’ll always be my little girls.”
Vernon and Tess are also eager to let their daughters carve out their own paths. “We haven’t pushed them in any particular direction, whether that’s continuing education or something else.
It’s completely up to them,” Vernon says. “As parents, you can only hold their hand and guide them on what’s right or wrong for so long. Eventually, you have to let go of the lead and let them explore life on their own.”
Vernon appreciates that openness is key in their family. “There are no taboo subjects. We’ve always talked about everything,” he says. This includes honest conversations about body image.
He’s concerned about how teenage girls are already using facial peels and has warned his daughters against it, reminding them they still have beautiful, natural skin. Vernon believes society and especially social media needs to be more responsible in protecting young people.
He also wishes people, especially women, would be kinder to one another. “Women slagging off other women is the most backwards thing ever. ‘Oh, look at her, she looks horrendous.’ What are you on about? You should be supporting each other!”
As for himself, Vernon has no interest in cosmetic treatments. “Blokes who’ve had work done end up looking worse,” he says. “When a fella gets older, it naturally gives you character. Look at George Clooney and Roger Moore, two good-looking guys. Don’t interfere with that.”