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Vernon Kay joked he might be committing a “sackable offense” after he considered stripping down to his boxers in the BBC 2 studio. But the 51-year-old concluded “you can’t do that anymore” as he was left feeling “fed up” on air.

Vernon has been a regular fixture on BBC radio since he rejoined the station in 2021 as a cover presenter for Rylan Clark’s Saturday show. He later went on to act as a cover presenter for the likes of veteran broadcaster Steve Wright and breakfast host Zoe Ball.

In 2023 Vernon landed a permanent role on the station, being announced as legendary presenter Ken Bruce’s replacement on the mid-morning slot. On air Vernon likes to share an insight into both his professional and personal life.

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On Wednesday morning Vernon revealed he had cycled to work on his morning commute. However the presenter was struck by the elements and left feeling as though he needed to warm-up and dry off in the studio.

He made the revelation after the weather forecast said it was going to be a damp day across the United Kingdom. Vernon said: “It’s going to be awful, I’m freezing.

“No, I’m freezing, fed up this morning. I cycled in and it’s chucking it down outside and I’ve got jeans on and it would be really awkward and probably a sackable offense if I took my pants off and sat in my undies because my jeans are wet through.

“I can’t do that anymore, times have changed. If I had a blanket I’d be able to do that. I am, I’ll be honest, soaked to the skin, I’m going to get a cold I am. I need to warm me cockles, that’s what it is. Honest, I know I’m going to get a sniffle because I’m sat here in damp jeans, put the fire on.”

Vernon went on to realise he had his gym shorts with him in the studio. He joked that while his knees were “a bit nobbly” his “pins were alright” to get out at Radio 2 while his trousers dried off.

Elsewhere Vernon revealed earlier this week that he was once snubbed by a BBC legend after he appeared on a hit ITV show. Vernon appeared on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2020.

He finished third on the show ahead of fellow radio presenter Jordan North and author Giovanna Fletcher. The series was filmed at Gwrych Castle in Wales, due to coronavirus restrictions at the time.

Vernon says that during his early days at the BBC, he met Tony Blackburn, the former BBC Radio 1 presenter who appeared on I’m A Celeb himself during the inaugural series in 2002. Speaking during his show on Tuesday, Vernon explained: "I remember when I first joined Radio 2 on a regular basis and Tony was in, I think I was covering for Rylan at the time, and Tony was knocking about. [Mimicking] 'Hey Vernon, hi, yeah great, saw you on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of here!'

"I went, 'Yeah, I enjoyed it, you enjoyed it too?', 'Yeah, I shouldn't mention it, but I won. I thought you were great but I didn't vote for you'. Like, cheers Tony. Thanks pal. 'Yeah, I voted for the other guy'. Thanks mate, what a legend Tony Blackburn."

Vernon continued by describing the presenter as "one of the greats". He said: "With Tony you can just sit and it's like when you sit with the greats, when you sit with Bob Harris, when you sit with Gary [Davies], and Mark [Radcliffe], you just sit and take it in. They've done it, they've walked the path, they've got a wealth of experience. Especially Tony, he would put records on a record player back in the day and talk at the same time. I can barely use a pen and talk at the same time."

Tony began his career in pirate radio, broadcasting on both Radio Caroline and Radio London in the 1960s. He became the first DJ heard on Radio 1 when it launched on 30 September 1967. He subsequently enjoyed both television and singing careers. Tony is set to appear on Radio 2 with Scott Mills tomorrow (January 21).