Vernon Kay on This Morning: who is the ITV show’s new presenter - and why is he replacing Phillip Schofield?

Vernon Kay has been drafted in to replace Phillip Schofield on ITV’s This Morning, it has been confirmed.

Kay, 47, has kept a largely low profile since 2016 but has been making more and more appearances on daytime TV since his stint on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here.

The Bolton-born star will replace TV’s power couple, Schofield and Holly Willoughby, alongside Rochelle Humes.

Here is what you need to know about Vernon and why he is stepping into Schofield’s shoes.

Who is Vernon Kay?

Vernon Kay is a well-known English TV presenter who grew up in Bolton, the eldest of two sons to Norman and Gladys Kay.

He got his first taste of fame after being scouted by a modelling agency when he agreed to take part in a BBC Clothes Show live catwalk. He was paid for his contribution to the show by receiving a couple of beers.

He used his modelling jobs to chase TV work, becoming famous for teen-TV shows T$ for Channel 4 and The Mag on Channel 5.

In 2006, Kay got his big break when he became the presenter of All Star Family Fortunes and remained as the show’s presenter until it was axed in 2015.

Since 2016, he has largely lived a quieter life with his two daughters and wife, fellow TV presenter Tess Dally.

He is a huge Bolton Wanderers fan and plays American football for London Warriors, as well as flying drones and model aircraft in his spare time.

What else has Vernon Kay presented?

The 47-year-old has been onscreen since the age of 26, presenting children’s shows and Top of the Pops spin-ff, TOTP+.

In 2006, he joined ITV to lead on Family Fortunes, a primetime Saturday night entertainment show.

From 2013 to 2014, he also co-presented shows such as ‘Splash’ with Tom Daley, as well as making several guest-host appearances on The One Show and as a panellist on The Keith Lemon Sketch Show.

In 2015, bosses of Family Fortunes announced the show would not air in 2016 but would return in 2017. The show did not return until 2021, with new host Gino D’ACampo.

Kay re-emerged in 2020, announcing he would be a contestant on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here.

He came third, beaten by radio DJ Jordan North and queen of the jungle, Giovanna Fletcher.

It was announced on 22 August 2021 that Vernon will be hosting ITV’s This Morning, as the bosses are reportedly trying out new talent for the show.

Why is he replacing Philip Schofield?

Fans of Schofield and Willoughby need not worry, as Vernon and Rochelle will only be stepping in for a few days.

While the regular dynamic duo take a week off to enjoy the end of the summer, Rochelle will step into hosting duties from Monday 30 August until Friday 3 September.

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of that week, Vernon will join Rochelle on the sofa.

Alison Hammond, who usually co-presents sections of the show with Dermot O’Leary, will step in to support Rochelle on Monday and Friday.

Vernon said of his guest-hosting duties: “To be asked to guest host on a show I’ve watched since its inception is a huge tick for me.”

When is This Morning on TV?

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am-12:30pm on ITV.

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