Vernon Kay says his children have only ever watched him on television once as his regular presenting gig fronting a show about race driving is not up their street.
The 47-year-old former model is proud father to daughters Phoebe, 17, and Amber, 12, who he shares with 52-year-old Tess Daly.
For millions from 2000-2005, Vernon presented Channel 4 ’s iconic weekend scheduling slot T4 which was targeted at the 16-24 age group.
But now the star is best known as a host of Formula E – a motorsport championship for electric cars with races taking place all over the world.
Speaking to OK! magazine, Vernon explained that his two daughters wouldn’t ever watch his motorcar presenting projects and are generally more interesting in being out and about than watching TV, so the only time they saw him on TV was during his 2020 stint on a reality show.
He laughed: “I’m not going to lie, the only time the kids have watched me on TV was for I’m A Celebrity.
“They’re both active and sitting in front of the TV isn’t what they’re into.”
Vernon went on to explain that his daughters are comfortable with him being on the TV – as well as their mum, Tess, who has most famously been a host on Strictly Come Dancing since 2004.
The ex-T4 star said: “They must be used to it. They understand who I am now.”
Indeed, Vernon’s past career as a presenter of a teen-focused TV show has won him some cool points with his kids.
He explained: “As Phoebe’s getting older she’s getting into music which was relevant when I was doing T4.
“I’ve got a gallery of pictures in the garage from when I met famous artists.
“She’s started listening to Destiny’s Child and I’d casually say, ‘Ah, I interviewed them.’ That’s very cool from their perspective.”
In a recent interview with the Mirror, Tess opened up about parenting and the fact that her eldest daughter is about to turn 18.
She gasped: “It blows my mind because I was pregnant with her on series one of Strictly. I scroll through my phone gallery, and not so long ago I was dressing them in little leggings and matching t-shirts, now she’s a young adult.
“It all happens in a heartbeat and that’s why I treasure every moment. It’s why I’m quite fanatical about being around for my kids as much as I can, because it’ll be over before I know it and then they’ll be off having their own lives.”
The Strictly star also hinted at the risks of being a good parent as it can lead to kids being very sharp, as she confessed: “The other day I told her she was far too young to go travelling, and she said ‘But when YOU were 17 you were travelling alone’ (when Tess left home to model).
“Well, that told me! No wonder my mum was so worried, your brain isn’t wired for perils when you’re 17. Now I have to put myself in those shoes, and I just think ‘HELP!’”
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