As a 51-year-old dad who still loves clubbing, is Radio 2 DJ Vernon Kay down with the kids — or the ultimate cringe-inducing parent? “I’m a bit of both,” he grins. “I’m master of the guestlist for our girls, but I’m also Mr Embarrassing Dad. If there’s a dance floor and music playing, they know I’ll be first up. But as soon as you stop dancing, it’s game over. I might be buying bath taps during the week, but I’m still raving on Saturday nights.”
For the next few months, Vernon’s weekends may be slightly quieter, as his wife Tess Daly, 56, returns to our screens hosting Strictly Come Dancing alongside Claudia Winkleman. “I rarely go out when Strictly’s on, because I want to make sure everything’s alright,” he exclusively told the Mirror. “If I’m working, I have it on at the side of the stage.” That’s not to say Vernon and Tess’ daughters, Phoebe, 20, and Amber, 16, will be watching every week. “The girls are like, ‘Oh, Dad, we’ve grown up with this for 20 years. We’re going out.’ It’s one of those things they take for granted. Strictly’s always been on in our house — they don’t know life without it.”
Though this year’s line-up is still under wraps when we meet with him and Tess is sworn to secrecy, Vernon’s personal favourites are always the sports stars. “I like watching them commit,” he says. “I think they find it harder, because all they’ve known in life is perfection. I do think it’s underplayed how difficult it is. It’s bloody hard, it really is.”
Could he ever be tempted to don the sequins and take part himself? “I don’t know,” he says. “Until that question is posed to me by the BBC, I’d never consider it.”
His stint on I’m A Celebrity… could influence any future decision, though. “Strictly is such an emotional journey, and as far as that goal goes, I have kind of done it with I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!” He finished third in the Covid-hit 2020 series, which swapped the Australian jungle for a Welsh castle, and remains in touch with his campmates. “The WhatsApp group is still active. Shane [Richie] and Victoria [Derbyshire] are the ringleaders, and Beverley [Callard] dips in now and again.”
In June, Tess was awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting, and Vernon is every bit the proud husband. “We may have popped a couple of corks. To be recognised for what she’s done is amazing, and it shows how important Strictly is. It’s been the fabric of British life for 21 years, and whenever it wins a Bafta or National Television Award and someone says, ‘This is for everyone behind the scenes,’ it really is, because the whole team is magnificent.”
He believes a key part of the show’s appeal is its relatability. “The emotional stories highlight issues that aren’t always talked about. People realise, ‘Oh, that person’s like me. They might be in a sparkly outfit, but we’re exactly the same.”
“Relatable” is a word that could describe Vernon’s Radio 2 show, too. Each weekday morning, he shares his thoughts on everything from family life to forgetting to pay for his shopping. “It’s natural to just talk,” he says. “For me, being on the radio is like therapy. It’s nice, I can open the mic and talk to seven million mates.”
This week, Vernon will be hosting Dance Sounds Of The 90s at Radio 2 In The Park in Essex. “It’s insane, everyone just dances and has a great time for nearly three hours,” he says.
Once a regular festival-goer himself, he’s less keen on roughing it these days. “I don’t think I could do another wet Glastonbury ever again. I’ve had a couple of shockers. It’s horrendous when everything stinks.” Happily, Radio 2 In The Park is a very different experience. “It’s more family-friendly and the atmosphere is so fun and positive.”
Headliners include Bryan Adams, Def Leppard and Anastacia, but when Vernon’s on duty there’s no all-night partying. “We’re not at Radio 1 any more. It’s a couple of beverages and then, ‘Oh, I feel a bit tired. I’ll go get room service.’ There are exceptions — Scott [Mills] and Rylan [Clark] do go into the early hours, but the majority are early to bed.” Speaking of Scott, the DJ first introduced Vernon to Tess back in 2001. So does he owe his radio pal for playing Cupid? “I guess so,” he laughs, adding coyly, “That was the night of the BBC Christmas party. We left early, shall we say?”
The couple tied the knot in 2003 and live in Buckinghamshire with their girls, but Vernon insists there’s no secret to their 22-year marriage. “Talking is the easiest solution to any problem, especially in a relationship. Sometimes you bite your lip, assuming you know the other person’s reaction. That’s dangerous, so we just say it. If it goes down well, fine. If it doesn’t, you talk more.” Life chez Kay-Daly can be hectic, though — especially at mealtimes. “When everyone’s ready, we’ll start cooking, but it’s a bit bonkers. Tess does most of the cooking because she’s good at it, but we do fly by the seat of our pants.”
How’s life in an all-female household? “I get my way,” he says. “Especially when it’s time for me to go and buy a new power tool or golf club. And don’t even think about coming near the barbecue. That’s my arena.”
He and Tess have shared values as parents. “We play good cop, bad cop, but alternate the roles. You have to keep ’em guessing.” Understandably, he is fiercely protective of Phoebe and Amber, saying, “They’ll always be my little girls.” But he and Tess are keen to let them find their own paths. “We’ve not pushed them in a certain direction, to continue their education or whatever. It’s totally up to them. As a parent, you can only hold their hand and say, ‘This is right or wrong’ for so long. There’s got to be a point where you take them off the lead and let them discover life.”
It helps that nothing is off-limits. “There are no taboo subjects. We’ve always talked about everything.” That extends to discussing body image. “Teenage girls are having facial peels,” he grimaces. “We’ve had to tell our two, ‘Don’t use that,’ because they’ve still got beautiful baby skin. As a society, we need to be careful, and social media has a responsibility to keep kids safe.”
He thinks a bit more kindness would help, too. “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!” And former model Vernon certainly has no interest in having ‘tweakments’ himself. “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.”
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