Scott Mills had to present for a long time on BBC Radio 2 on Thursday morning after Vernon Kay was late with his presentation due to train delays.
Scott had already filled in for Zoe Ball on the morning show and remained on air for another 80 minutes after receiving a message from Vernon confirming that he was still ‘stuck on the platform’ waiting for his train to arrive.
Scott, who was crowned winner of the Celebrity Race Across The World on Wednesday, surprised listeners watching Vernon’s morning show.
He played a voicemail message from Vernon, which read, “Hi Scott, this is Vernon. Well, I’ll be honest: I never thought this would happen.
‘I’m still on stage, miles away from the centre of London, miles away from the studio and miles away from the microphone.’
Scott Mills was forced to host a marathon BBC Radio 2 presentation on Thursday morning after Vernon Kay was late to present his show due to train delays
After replacing Zoe Ball on his morning show, Scott stayed on air for another 80 minutes after receiving a voicemail message from Vernon
Scott then added: “Now Vernon and I get the same train line, but sometimes, like today, it’s unreliable, I think that’s a first, right? He’s late for his own show.”
Referring to his victory in the Celebrity Race Across The World, he later added: ‘I’ve raced 12,500 miles across South America and Vernon can’t even get to the studio from the other side of London!’
At the same time, Vernon confirmed on Instagram Stories that he was indeed still waiting for his train. He wrote: ‘Train delays! Signalling issues. I’m going to be late… @bbcradio2.’
When he finally got on the train, he posted to his followers: “On the train… sitting still!! Trying @realscottmills.”
After an hour and twenty minutes, Vernon finally arrived at the studio. Scott joked that he knew how to handle trips that involved public transportation.
Scott has been filling in for Zoe Ball on his Breakfast Show for the past few weeks, with the absence of the regular presenter causing concern among fans.
Despite an outpouring of concerned messages from fans online, Scott opened Zoe’s show on Monday without any mention of his absent colleague.
He previously sent a message of support to the star when he replaced her on August 12. He told listeners that he was taking over unexpectedly.
Scott, who was crowned the winner of Celebrity Race Across The World on Wednesday, surprised listeners watching Vernon’s morning show
At the same time, Vernon confirmed on Instagram Stories that he was indeed still waiting for his train, writing: ‘Train delays! Signalling problems. I’m going to be late… @bbcradio2’
“If you set your alarm for 6:30 every morning and Zoe normally wakes up, don’t panic. You didn’t oversleep,” he told listeners, adding that he would be in trouble for a while.
“If you just posted us this morning, it’s Scott Mills who will be replacing Zoe for the next few weeks. I’m sending you all my love Zo, as is the team,” he said.
Zoe’s fans and colleagues are concerned about the DJ, who is the BBC’s highest-paid woman with an annual salary of £950,000.
Before the star ended her show in August, she holidayed in Ibiza with her son Woody and daughter Nelly and attended Brighton Pride.
She then worked for three more days before leaving the show.
The BBC has given no explanation for her absence, other than a spokeswoman saying last week that she will be back later this month.
On Wednesday, viewers also saw Scott and his husband Sam being 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 through Argentina to Chile and reached the finish line, reaching the seaside resort of Frutillar.
As they traveled through the beautiful Patagonia region, through mountains and deserts on a shoestring budget, tensions ran high as the end drew closer for the celebrities.
On Wednesday, viewers also saw Scott and his husband Sam being declared the winners of the Celebrity Race Across The World, after a thrilling race across South America
Each team took a different route, by bus, coach, taxi and even hitchhiking. Kelly Brook and her husband Jeremy Parisi took the lead early on.
However, BBC Radio 2 presenters Scott and Sam, plus Ted Lasso’s Kola Bokinni and niece Mary-Ellen, soon caught up with the couple with some exciting scenes.
Scott and Sam were the first to sign the book, marking 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 that can compare to this.
“It was exciting, it was tough, it was very frustrating at times, but it just proves that we are a great team, a winning team.”
Sam added that winning was the “best feeling ever.”