Vernon Kay has expressed how much he’s enjoying his radio career, joking that he might retire next year.
The 50-year-old presenter is currently co-hosting The National Lottery’s New Year’s Eve Big Bash alongside Fleur East. The event, filmed earlier this month at the OVO Arena in Wembley, will air on ITV1 on December 31.
The show promises to be a celebration of the year’s big moments, including the Paris Olympics and the 30th anniversary of the National Lottery. It will feature performances by stars like Perrie, KSI, Olly Alexander, Craig David, and Ella Henderson, among others. For Kay, it’s been a year of big events, including a milestone birthday.
Reflecting on his plans for the future, Kay joked with The Standard, saying that he might be looking toward “retirement.” But he quickly added, “No, I’m joking!”
Kay’s career began in the mid-90s as a model before transitioning into television in the early 2000s. He worked on shows like T4 on Channel 4 and The Mag on Channel 5. His radio career started with his own show on BBC Radio 1, which he hosted for eight years. In May 2023, he took over Ken Bruce’s mid-morning slot on BBC Radio 2.
“I’m really, really enjoying – loving, in fact – the radio and being connected to our listeners,” Kay said. “The radio audience reflects the voices and opinions of what’s going on out there, so you feel really connected. I want to continue with that.”
Looking ahead, Kay teased an exciting February Piano Room segment and more big events coming to Radio 2. “More of the same, please,” he added.
On New Year’s Day, Kay will announce the winner of a listener vote to find the nation’s favourite Elvis song. This will coincide with what would have been Elvis’s 90th birthday on January 8.
“I’m a massive Elvis fan,” Kay admitted. “We’ve taken Elvis’s top 20 hits, which leads to a list of 90 songs in celebration of his 90th birthday, and the nation will get to pick their favourite.” He speculated that the winner could be songs like “Suspicious Minds” or “Hound Dog.”
Though he’s meant to remain impartial, Kay revealed that his personal favourite Elvis track is “If I Can Dream.” He also recalled an unforgettable trip to Graceland for a T4 special.
“We ended up behind the velvet rope and saw some places that you can’t see on the general admission tour,” he said. “We went into a big storage facility where we saw exhibits not currently on display. It was pretty cool. We also toured the Lisa Marie aeroplane and the car museum.”
Kay described the experience as “bonkers” but noted how iconic Elvis is. “Your family home becoming the biggest tourist attraction in your hometown—that’s mad,” he said.
Looking forward, Kay hinted at several upcoming projects, including a sports podcast with his friend Darren Fletcher, along with some “cheeky projects” with the BBC and ITV. “There are loads of things in the pipeline, but I believe in fate,” he said. “If you let the cat out of the bag and it doesn’t happen, we’ll see.”
Catch Vernon Kay and Fleur East co-hosting The National Lottery’s New Year’s Eve Big Bash on ITV1 and ITVX, airing December 31 from 17:45 to 19:45. The show will feature performances from Olly Alexander, Perrie, and other Lottery-funded acts.
