A NEW STAGE 'WOULD I DO STRICTLY COME DANCING? I'VE NEVER BEEN ASKED!'

PRESENTER VERNON KAY ON DODGING THE DANCE FLOOR, CHEERING ON PAL MIKE TINDALL IN I’M A CELEB AND HAVING PRE-PANTO JITTERS

He’s one of our favourite TV talents with a varied career spanning over 20 years, but surprisingly Vernon Kay has never done panto – until now. The 48-year-old presenter and I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here finalist is making his theatre debut this year as Dandini – “the prince’s personal assistant,” says Vernon – in Cinderella, having accepted it following some encouragement from his kids.

Vernon’s two daughters with wife Tess Daly – Phoebe, 18 and Amber, 13 – have been regular panto-goers with their parents since they were little.

“We go every year and that’s why I’m really pleased I’m doing it, because I’m doing it when the kids are at an age where they can bring their friends and enjoy watching Dad make a fool of himself,” he explains.

But how will his performance schedule fit in with Tess’s presenting duties on Strictly? “We’ve looked at the diary and we pretty much know already what the kids want for Christmas,” he says. “And my dad will get the usual staples – the sweater, socks, undies, flask – and my mum will probably get another throw for the sofa, or a shawl or a handbag. So you can plan all that.

“There’s a period where they overlap – the end of Strictly and the start of panto – but it’s something we’ve become accustomed to. Strictly is like our third baby. You know it only comes and visits from June until Christmas, so we’re kind of programmed for it now.”