'For me, being on the radio is like therapy'

Ahead of Radio 2 In The Park, we catch up with Vernon Kay to talk parenting, supporting wife Tess during Strictly, and loving his job

-  ANNA POINTER

As a 51-year-old dad who still loves clubbing, is Radio 2 DJ Vernon Kay down with the kids - or the ultimate cringe-inducing parent? “I’m a bit of both,” he grins. “I’m master of the guestlist for our girls, but I’m also Mr Embarrassing Dad. If there’s a dance floor and music playing, they know I'll be first up. But as soon as you stop dancing, it’s game over. I might be buying bath taps during the week, but I’m still raving on Saturday nights.”

For the next few months, Vernon’s weekends may be slightly quieter, as wife Tess Daly, 56, returns to our screens hosting Strictly Come Dancing alongside Claudia Winkleman. “I rarely go out when Strictly’s on, because I want to make sure everything’s alright,” he tells OK! in our exclusive interview. “If I’m working, I have it on at the side of the stage.” That’s not to say Vernon and Tess’ daughters, Phoebe, 20, and Amber, 16, will be watching every week. “The girls are like, ‘Oh, Dad, we’ve grown up with this for 20 years. We're going out.’ It’s one of those things they take for granted. Strictly’s always been on in our house – they don’t know life without it.”

Though this year’s lineup is still under wraps when we meet with him and Tess is sworn to secrecy, Vernon’s personal favourites are always the sports stars. “I like watching them commit,” he says. “I think they find it harder, because all they’ve known in life is perfection. I do think it’s underplayed how difficult it is. It’s bloody hard, it really is.”

Could he ever be tempted to don the sequins and take part himself? “I don’t know,” he says. “Until that question is posed to me by the BBC, I’d never consider it.”

His stint on I’m A Celebrity... could influence any future decision, though. “Strictly is such an emotional journey, and as far as that goal goes, I have kind of done it with