Scott Mills was forced to endure a marathon BBC Radio 2 slot on Thursday morning after Vernon Kay was late to present his show due to train delays.
Having replaced Zoe Ball on the breakfast show, Scott remained on air for another 80 minutes after receiving a voice note from Vernon, who confirmed he was still “stuck on the platform” waiting for his train to arrive.
Scott, who was crowned the winner of Celebrity Race Across The World on Wednesday, surprised listeners who tuned into Vernon’s mid-morning show.
He played a voice note from Vernon that said, ‘Hi Scott, it’s Vernon. Well, I’m going to be honest with you, I never thought this would happen.
‘I’m still on the platform miles away from central London, miles away from the studio and miles away from the microphone.’
Scott Mills was forced to endure a marathon of BBC Radio 2 appearances on Thursday morning as Vernon Kay ended up arriving late to present his show due to train delays.
Having replaced Zoe Ball on her breakfast show, Scott remained on air for another 80 minutes after receiving a voice note from Vernon.
Scott added: “Vernon and I have the same train line now, but sometimes, like today, it’s unreliable. I think that’s a first, isn’t it? He’s late for his own show.”
Referring to her Celebrity Race Across The World win, she later added: “I managed to run 12,500 miles across South America and Vernon can’t even get from the other side of London to the studio.”
At the same time, Vernon took to Instagram Stories to confirm that he was indeed still waiting for his train, writing: “Train delays! Signalling issues. Going to be late… @bbcradio2.”
After finally getting on a train, she updated her followers adding: “On the train… I’m standing still! I’m trying out @realscottmills.”
An hour and 20 minutes into his show, Vernon finally arrived at the studio, and Scott joked that he was no stranger to a transportation-themed trip.
In recent weeks, Scott has been filling in for Zoe Ball on her Breakfast Show, and the long-serving presenter’s absence has sparked concern among fans.
Despite a series of concerned messages online from fans, Scott opened the Zoe show on Monday without mentioning his absent colleague.
He previously sent a message of support to the star as he replaced her on August 12, telling listeners he was unexpectedly taking over the role.
Scott, who was crowned the winner of Celebrity Race Across The World on Wednesday, stunned listeners tuning into Vernon’s mid-morning show.
At the same time, Vernon took to Instagram Stories to confirm that he was indeed still waiting for his train, writing: “Train delays! Signalling issues. Going to be late… @bbcradio2.”
“If you set your alarm every morning to go off at 6:30 a.m. and Zoe usually goes off, please don’t panic. You haven’t overslept,” she told listeners, adding that she would be in an awkward situation for a while.
“If you’ve gotten in touch this morning, Scott Mills will be filling in for Zoe for the next few weeks. Sending all my love to you Zoe, as does the team,” he said.
Zoe’s fans and colleagues say they are concerned for the DJ, whose £950,000 annual salary makes her the highest-paid woman at the BBC.
Before leaving her show in August, the star enjoyed a holiday in Ibiza with her son Woody and daughter Nelly and attended Brighton Pride.
He then returned to work for three days before leaving the show.
The BBC has offered no explanation for his absence, except that a spokeswoman said last week that he would return later this month.
On Wednesday, viewers also saw Scott and her husband Sam declared winners of the Celebrity Race Across The World, after a thrilling race across South America.
In the final episode of the series, the four teams raced toward the finish line as they made their way through Argentina into Chile to reach the coastal town of Frutillar.
Trekking through the stunning Patagonia region, crossing mountains and deserts on a tight budget, tensions mounted as the end approached for the celebrities.
On Wednesday, viewers also saw Scott and her husband Sam declared winners of Celebrity Race Across The World, after a thrilling race across South America.
Each team chose different routes – bus, coach, taxi and even hitchhiking – with Kelly Brook and her husband Jeremy Parisi taking the lead from the start.
However, BBC Radio 2 presenters Scott and Sam, plus Kola Bokinni (Ted Lasso) and her cousin Mary-Ellen quickly caught up with the pair in emotional scenes.
Scott and Sam were the first to sign their names in the book signalling the end of the race and crowning them the winners, beating Kola and Mary-Ellen by two hours.
Scott said: “Speechless. When you open that book and there are no other names in it, there is no other feeling like it.”
“It’s been exciting, it’s been difficult, it’s been very frustrating at times, but it shows that we are a great team, a winning team.”
Sam added that winning was “the best feeling in the world.”