Vernon Kay spent a chunk of Monday's show tangled up over two simple words. While explaining the new Ten to the Top prize, he repeatedly fumbled "fridge magnet," setting off giggles from Matthew and Janice in the studio. Listeners piled in with texts, including one from Mick in Hebburn joking the prize should've been "a fridge freezer." Vernon played along, phoning a mock "HR" call with Janice, who told him: "I'm afraid it does say on your CV… they need to be able to speak."
Listen: Vernon's fridge magnet meltdown
The real heart of the morning was Vernon's Tracks Of My Years chat with Dame Meera Syal, newly made a Dame and promoting her memoir Vigil Auntie. Syal spoke movingly about growing up the only Asian family in a West Midlands mining village, calling the front door of her house "passport control" because her accent and manner changed the moment she crossed it. She also recalled the rarity of seeing anyone who looked like her on television as a child: "We used to play the game quick, there's a brown person on the telly."
Listen: Meera Syal on 'passport control
On Ten to the Top, roofer Paul from Leeds scored 10 points and won a coffee mug, before Sarah from Buxton pipped him with 24 points, correctly naming 1985 for Billy Idol's hits to land the mystery prize, which turned out to be the now-infamous fridge magnet, plus a smart speaker.
More from Vernon Kay
Discuss this show and more on our forums and chatbox.
This update was produced using AI transcription. Spotted an error? Get in contact.
