Vernon Kay was forced to apologise after swearing liv On air during a Children in Need segment on his radio show on Tuesday (11 November).

On Tuesday, November 11, Vernon Kay, the well-known British radio presenter, was forced to issue an apology after accidentally swearing live on air during a Children in Need segment on his radio show. The incident occurred while he was discussing Sara Cox and her Great Northern Marathon Challenge, a special event in which his BBC Radio 2 colleague was running 135 miles over the course of five days to raise funds for Children in Need.

During a commercial break promoting Sara’s marathon challenge, the advert ended with a voiceover saying: “Go Sara go, you’re doing fabulously… Sara’s Great Northern Marathon Challenge continues.” Immediately, Vernon Kay responded with: “It does indeed! Bloody hell” – a common British expletive.

However, he quickly realized his mistake and corrected himself: “I mean flipping hell, oh gosh. Sorry, sorry, I apologise, I apologise.” This quick self-correction demonstrated his awareness of maintaining professionalism on air, especially in a show aimed at children and a charitable cause.

According to Vernon Kay, the reason for the slip was that he was deeply moved by a story shared by a young boy during the program. He admitted that the story “touched his heart” and made such a strong impression that he inadvertently swore in response.

The incident was quickly shared on social media, with many expressing sympathy for Vernon Kay, understanding that it was an emotional reaction rather than a deliberate act of disrespect. His immediate apology also helped diffuse the situation, while serving as a reminder of the sensitivity required when broadcasting live, particularly for a program involving children.

This event also highlights the power of Children in Need, not only in raising funds for charity but also in sharing touching personal stories that can emotionally impact hosts and participants alike. Despite being 51 years old and an experienced presenter, Vernon Kay acknowledged that emotionally charged stories can sometimes cause even seasoned broadcasters to react instinctively.