Vernon Kay forced to pull out of hosting This Morning after catching Covid

VERNON Kay has been forced to cancel his planned guest hosting slot on This Morning alongside Rochelle Humes after contracting COVID.

Vernon, 47, had been set to replace Phillip Schofield, 59, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week in a major booking for the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! finalist.

However, now ITV bosses have been left scrambling to replace Vernon, with Holly Willoughby and Phil, and Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford all unable to cover.

Vernon’s positive coronavirus test has also meant his plans to cover Steve Wright’s Radio 2 show have had to be axed.

Vernon exclusively told The Sun: “I’m absolutely gutted that because of a positive Covid test I’m no longer able to present on This Morning next week with Rochelle nor do Radio 2 guest hosting and Steve Wright’s cover, two iconic shows which I’ve been a fan of for decades.”

Former Saturdays singer Rochelle had previously told of her excitement at welcoming Vernon into the This Morning fold.

Rochelle, 32, said: “I’m so looking forward to hosting with the wonderful Alison Hammond again. I also can’t wait to welcome Vernon Kay into the This Morning family!”

Vernon had admitted the booking was ‘a huge tick’ for his career  after watching the daytime staple since it started in 1988.

After taking a few weeks off for summer, Holly and Phil will return to host the show from Monday 6th September.

Next month Holly will go head to head with her co-star Alison Hammond in the battle for Best Presenter at the National Television Awards.

The pair will go up against Ant and Dec, Bradley Walsh and former Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan.

This Morning has also been nominated for Best Daytime programme alongside Loose Women, The Chase and The Repair Shop.