It’s been 20 years and I’ve NEVER been asked to do Strictly – despite being married to the host, says Vernon Kay
VERNON Kay has NEVER been asked to compete on Strictly Come Dancing in 20 years – despite being married to the host.
The BBC Radio Two presenter says he’s been missed off the wish list by BBC executives since its launch in 2004.
Tess Daly co-hosted the show with Bruce Forsyth until 2013 before taking over his role alongside Claudia Winkleman.
Despite this, Vernon has never been called up to be asked to appear on the dance show that’s on most celebrities’ bucket lists.
Instead he will watch from home or in the audience at Elstree Studios where Strictly in filmed.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun as part of EE‘s campaign to improve Christmas with its latest tech upgrade WiFi 7 technology, Vernon Kay told us: “If they asked me, I’d think about it – and then I’d say no.
“Let’s be honest, it’s been 20 bloody years and I’ve still not had a phone call.
“It’s like, I’m right here! Hello!
“Every now and then I’ll bump into the BBC executives at Broadcasting House, so I think it’s time I say ‘hello, remember me’.”
The 50-year-old backed Chris McCausland to win before he became the first blind contestant to hold the glitterball trophy.
Vernon said: “I think Dianne has been an absolute saint in the way she’s allowed people to realise that you know having a disability isn’t the be all end all.
“Chris has done absolutely amazingly and Dianne had everyone in tears in the semi-final when she said, look, Chris hasn’t seen other people dance.
“He hasn’t seen what he’s accomplished, what he’s achieved. He hasn’t seen his own hand placement or footwork.
“It just struck a cord and touched everyone in the studio. Tess was in tears and she had to really fight back tears when she did the next link to introduce the next dancer.
“I think it just summed up everything Chris has achieved.
“That’s what Strictly is all about. Watching it makes you feel good.
“When you strip it down, it’s about dancing. Dancing is difficult, but when it’s done well it looks amazing.”