Vernon Kay ‘so close’ to swearing live on BBC Radio 2 as one issue ‘gets my back up’

Vernon Kay appeared to be "close" to swearing live on BBC Radio 2 as he discussed a habit that annoys him. He made the remarks while chatting to colleague Bobbie Pryor on his mid-morning radio show (June 24). In the segment, he mentioned how Bobbie "used to go out dressed as a Womble".

He then disclosed that she wasn't the "only one", explaining that a listener named Tracy had sent a photo of her and her twin sister dressed as the beloved children's characters. Bobbie went on to say it was "of a time", to which Vernon replied: "When picking up litter was cool", referring to the Wombles' habit of collecting and recycling rubbish. Bobbie esponded: "It's still cool." Vernon agreed, as Bobbie suggested that it was "cooler now".

Vernon said: "It really is, and we need to do it because a lot of people take our communities for granted and just chucking..." After a pause, Vernon added: "Rubbish everywhere."

It was at this point that Vernon seemed to suggest that he'd come close to using a different word. He continued: "Ooh, nearly! Oh, so close! Janice-Janine (Vernon's producer), I was so close!

"I was so close! 'Cos it annoys me, you see. It gets my back up. I don't want to live in your garbage, and no one else does. Take it home; find a bin and put it in. It's really easy."

It wouldn't be the first time such an incident has taken place. In 2025, Vernon was forced to apologise after swearing live on air as he discussed Sara Cox’s Great Northern Marathon Challenge on his show.

His comments came after an advert for the feat. A voiceover said: "Go Sara, go, you're doing fabulously… Sara's Great Northern Marathon Challenge continues."

Vernon said: "It does indeed! Bloody hell." He then corrected himself: "I mean flipping hell, oh gosh. Sorry, sorry, I apologise, I apologise." He claimed that the mistake was due to him being moved by a boy's story that "got him".

It comes after Vernon shed light on his disappointment after losing out on an award at this year's ARIAS, where he and his team had been nominated.

Janine said: "Honestly, what a privilege. We were saying how lucky we are to just spend an evening with some amazing, creative, fantastic people in the radio world and to just enjoy celebrating their successes. Amazing."

Vernon, who didn't attend the event, joked: "That's Janine politely saying, 'We're absolutely gutted that we lost'. Well done, Janine, you're such a professional. I wouldn't have said that."