Vernon Kay says 'I don't think she'd let me' as Tess Daly puts foot down after confession - Manchester Evening News

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Vernon Kay joked that Tess Daly won't "allow" him to get a sit-on lawn mower that would allow him to fulfill his dream of recreating an iconic scene from a Hollywood film.

The presenter told his BBC Radio 2 listeners he wants to emulate Tom Hanks' character Forrest Gump by splashing the cash on a ride-on lawnmower. In the cult-classic Forrest can be seen riding around an American football field on a mower.

Vernon, 51, told listeners that wife Tess has agreed to invest in a lawnmower after he managed to get their garden strimmer fixed. It has led Vernon to wonder what other garden equipment he could invest in.

Speaking on Radio 2, he said: "I managed to get the strimmer working again, so all this week I will be strimming the borders of the garden. Not yet purchased a lawnmower.

"On Friday I finished the show by saying Strictly Come Dancing's Tess Daly's allowing me to get a lawnmower and I can't wait. I've been doing that thing where you literally peruse lots of websites about garden machinery.

"Goodness me, there's a lot of stuff out there that I didn't realise I needed. I think with this acceptance from Strictly Come Dancing's Tess Daly's that we do need a lawnmower that I might, somehow, be able to fulfil my Forrest Gump dreams.

"Sit on a lawnmower and just mow the lawn." Imitating the iconic character, Vernon added: "I enjoyed it so much, I did that job for free."

Before the presenter added: "That's going to be me, I can't wait. I don't think she'll let me have a sit on one though."

Vernon and Tess met while they were presenters on rival television networks. Vernon was working on Channel 4's T4 while Tess was fronting SMTV on ITV.

Despite working for rival stations, the pair soon fell in love. Tess, 56, has previously said their connection was "immediate" and that they "had a blast together".

Vernon proposed on Christmas Day in 2002 while the couple celebrated at Tess's parents' house. The well-known pair exchanged vows at St Mary's Church in Horwich, Vernon's hometown, and held their reception at Rivington Hall Barn.

The pair now share daughters Amber, 15, and Phoebe, 20, together. The family lives in a luxurious six-bedroom property in Buckinghamshire.

The home boasts a shed that has been converted into a home gym, complete with football shirts adjourning the walls, and its own private swimming pool. They had reportedly planned to move to a four-bedroom home nearby, but planning permission to build the house was rejected.

Vernon took over his mid-morning Radio 2 show in 2023, replacing veteran broadcaster Ken Bruce. Around 6.73 million a day tune into the former Family Fortunes host.