Vernon Kay apologises after exploding at BBC colleague as Radio 2 stars address ‘backlash’

In a recent broadcast of his BBC Radio 2 show, Scott Mills was joined on air by a listener for a bash at The Birthday Game, but it would ultimately lead to an outburst from his colleague, Vernon

Matt Davies Trendswatch Reporter

15:54, 09 Dec 2025

Vernon Kay has expressed his regrets after exploding at a BBC co-star(Image: ITV)

Vernon Kay has expressed his regrets following an on-air outburst at a BBC colleague after a song segment on radio. During a recent episode of his BBC Radio 2 programme (December 9), Scott Mills welcomed a listener to participate in The Birthday Game, where contestants select from three previous chart-toppers.

Players have the option to skip or continue with their choices, but reaching the third song means they’re “stuck with whatever’s left,” as outlined by the BBC. Regrettably for the day’s participant, the final selection turned out to be “Say Eh Oh” by the Teletubbies.

Scott acknowledged they would need to “play the song in full” whilst wishing the listener a happy birthday before starting the track by the 1990s children’s programme characters.

The song proved too much for Scott to endure, prompting him to cut it short. Upon doing so, he admitted he “can’t do it” and sought Vernon’s opinion, which resulted in Vernon yelling: “Get it off! Now!” When Scott cheekily enquired whether he fancied some “Tubby custard,” Vernon again exclaimed: “No!”

Scott Mills was joined on the airwaves by a listener for a round of The Birthday Game (Image: Getty Images)

Scott subsequently revealed he had switched off the track because it was “awful,” acknowledging that it was “of its time.” During the closing section of his programme, Scott welcomed Vernon prior to passing the microphone to him for his own show.

Vernon chose this opportunity to admit he was a “bit angry” about the Teletubbies song, stating: “I didn’t mean to kick off the morning with such ferocity.”

Scott disclosed that he had “never seen” his colleague’s face like that, describing it as “pure thunder” and noting he’d never witnessed him being serious. He went on to reveal they had received “a few complaints” and jested that Points of View would be kept busy.

Scott added: “Zoe says, ‘My son was loving that; get it back on.’ Oh, there’s quite a backlash.” Meanwhile, Vernon recently expressed his excitement after the BBC announced his forthcoming television programme. Vernon will return to our screens in 2026 with a fresh celebrity quiz show, titled Do You Know Your Place?

Scott declared that he “can’t do it” and asked co-star Vernon if he agreed (Image: Getty Images)

Featuring The Traitors star Paul Gorton, the programme will see Vernon challenge three famous contestants on their understanding of the UK.

Discussing the new show, Vernon commented: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be fronting Do You Know Your Place? – it’s a cracking new quiz that’s all about the people and places we know best. It’s got great banter, brilliant guests, and that classic British competitive streak. I can’t wait for everyone to see it on BBC Two.”

In other developments, Vernon also recently revealed that he and his wife, Tess Daly, had lengthy conversations about her choice to leave Strictly Come Dancing. In an instalment of ITV’s Loose Men, Vernon joined Joe Swash, Rob Rinder, and Jordan Banjo for a chat about the importance of making decisions about relationships together.

Vernon elaborated: “It’s a team effort; a relationship is when two become one,” he began. “It’s important that you make those big decisions together, or at least, make a decision and then share it. We had a big one recently in our household, and we sat and shared it for quite a while, which is what you have to do when something has been in your life for so long, like Strictly Come Dancing.”

Tess Daly and Vernon Kay attend the 2024 BAFTA Television Awards(Image: Getty Images for BAFTA)

He went on to say that you must sit and make a decision and “share it,” and also figure out the “how, what, where, when, why.”

This revelation follows the announcement by Tess and co-presenter Claudia Winkleman that they would be departing the beloved BBC dance show at the conclusion of the current series.

In the aftermath, Vernon shared his support for his wife, taking to his Instagram Stories to reshare posts, as well as posting an image of Claudia and Tess generated by a fan.

It was accompanied by the message: “What a fantastic duo they have been.” The couple has been married since 2003 and has two daughters.