Vernon Kay was due to start his BBC Radio 2 mid-morning show at 9.30am on Tuesday, but was unable to get to the studio after his train broke down in the sweltering heat
BBC Radio 2 host Vernon Kay was a no-show at the start of his morning programme on Tuesday after becoming stuck on a train. The 51-year-old was due on air at 9:30am but revealed his train had broken down, leaving him stranded in the sweltering heat.
Sara Cox, who was presenting Scott Mills’ breakfast show, stepped in to cover for Kay. Posting on his Instagram story, Kay joked that the “train isn’t training! ” and asked Cox to “hang fire”.
Cox, also from Bolton in Greater Manchester, told BBC Radio 2 listeners: “Oh no, I’ve just realised I’m not gonna be in time for reformer Pilates.
“If you just joined in and you’re thinking Vernon is sounding a little extra-manly today, don’t worry. It’s me: Sara, from the same area obviously, though famously.
“Vernon, poor Vernon stuck on a hot, sweaty train with no coffee, no air-con, no deodorant. So he’s going to get in at some point, hopefully,” reports the Mirror.
Cox assured listeners that veteran broadcaster Gary Davies would take over from 10am. When Davies took the reins, he explained: “If you just tuned in and wondering were Vernon is, he was on his train like usual and the train broke down and so he has been in sweltering hot heat and they had to send a rescue train which also broke down.”
Kay shared updates on his sweltering journey with fans on Instagram, captioning a photo of himself looking hot and bothered on board: “The train isn’t training. Hang fire @djsaracox @bbcradio2. Send deodorant and coffee.”
Kay’s fortunes took a turn for the better when the train’s conditions improved. “Aircon is back on!!!” he exclaimed to his followers, striking a slightly more upbeat pose.
A heatwave was set to hit parts of England, with temperatures in London forecast to soar to 34C on Tuesday, according to the Met Office.
On air, Davis played two voice notes from Kay, in which he could be heard expressing gratitude to the presenter for covering the show and calling him a “gentleman”.
Kay later added: “We are trapped on the train. We are still not in good spirits but we are trying Gary, we really are trying. All the best.”
In a similar vein, former BBC Radio 2 presenter Ken Bruce appeared to have suffered a comparable mishap when his train broke down on Tuesday.
Taking to X, the DJ apologised to his followers, explaining that he would be late to his Greatest Hits Radio show due to the train’s mechanical failure.
Kay took over from Bruce on the BBC Radio 2 mid-morning weekday programme in 2023.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
