Vernon Kay surprised with birthday messages as he turns 50

Vernon will turn 50 on Sunday, and to mark the occasion, his fellow Radio 2 workers decided to get the celebrations off to an early start.

Vernon took over the mid-morning weekday show on the station in March last year, following on from legendary broadcaster Ken Bruce. 

Since then he has brought his own Bolton charm to the role, including his Ten to the Top music quiz, following on from Bruce's Popmaster. 

Read more: "Once a Joey always a Joey": Hundreds cheer a tearful Vernon Kay on last leg of run 

Read more: Bolton people personally thanked for ensuring the best homecoming for a local star

Today, April 26, Kay was surprised live on air with a pre-recorded video of his fellow DJs sung him an altered version of Stevie Wonder's Happy Birthday. 

Stars as diverse as Jeremy Vine, Michael Ball, Trevor Nelson, Michelle Visage, Tony Blackburn, Fearne Cotton, and even fellow Boltonian Sara Cox, serenaded him with lines such as "Cause we all know in our minds, that you’re only 29." 

He was also given specially-recorded messages from Wanderers captain Ricardo Santos, Shed 7’s Rick Witter and even a montage of messages from teachers and pupils at his old school, St Joseph's RC High in Horwich. 

Headteacher Tony McCabe said this: “Vernon, as the Head Teacher of your old secondary school, St Joseph’s, I know that your legacy still stands in this school, and because ‘Once a Joey, always a Joey’ there are a few special people who would like to wish you halfway to a hundred birthday. Happy Birthday.”