Popular BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay found himself issuing a live, on-air apology recently after his graphic breakfast show banter about a particular personal grooming habit left at least one listener feeling decidedly queasy. The Bolton-born broadcaster, who commands one of the largest audiences in UK radio, was forced to address a complaint from a disgruntled listener identified as "Dave from Oldham".
"You Owe Me £2": Listener's Sausage Butty Ruined
The incident unfolded when Dave called into the show to confront Vernon directly. "I was eating a sausage and egg butty," the incensed listener complained, "and you mentioned popping blackheads." Dave claimed that Vernon's vivid and unappetising description had so revolted him that he was compelled to discard half of his sandwich. He demanded £2 in compensation, telling the chuckling host: "Come on Vern, you're better than this. You should know people are eating their breakfast."
Vernon's Controversial Skincare Endorsement
Remarkably undeterred by the complaint, Vernon initially doubled down on the topic. He enthusiastically urged his listeners to invest in a magnifying mirror for closer inspection, infamously comparing the activity to eating Pringles crisps: "It's like Pringles. Once you start popping, you're not going to stop." He later elaborated, suggesting that with a powerful enough mirror, extracting a blackhead could resemble "digging something out of a quarry" and described the process as so satisfying it could "almost be classified as a pastime".
Medical Experts Sound The Alarm
This casual endorsement stands in stark contrast to professional dermatological advice. Most skin experts strongly warn against the home squeezing of blackheads or spots. They stress that such actions risk pushing infected material deeper into the skin or spreading it to surrounding areas. This can lead to increased inflammation, the formation of more blemishes, and potentially cause permanent scarring or skin damage.
A Change Of Heart And A Public Apology
Vernon's perspective shifted when newsreader Ellie Brennan raised the subject of Dr. Sandra Lee, the US dermatologist famed for her "Dr. Pimple Popper" YouTube channel and television series. The show, which has run for ten seasons, features graphic, clinical extractions of severe skin conditions. Upon this mention, Vernon had a sudden realisation about Dave's complaint.
"I'm with Dave," he conceded live on air. "I apologise." He admitted that he himself finds such stomach-churning medical videos difficult to watch, acknowledging that Dave from Oldham "might have a point" after all.
Family News Surfaces Amid On-Air Drama
Separately from the broadcast controversy, reports have emerged regarding a significant potential family change for Vernon and his wife, former Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly. Their eldest daughter, Phoebe, recently posted a photograph on her Instagram Stories showing her at a New York City bar with the iconic Empire State Building visible in the background.
The caption, "Home for a while..", coupled with a bio update to "Heyyyy LDN/NYC", has sparked speculation that she may be relocating to the United States. The move appears recent, as Phoebe was confirmed to be in the UK for the final episode of her mother's 21-season stint on Strictly in December. The reasons for her potential transatlantic move and its duration remain undisclosed.
