Vernon Kay has sent his love to his friend, and former BBC Radio co-star, Chris Stark, while discussing the presenter's "shock" cancer diagnosis in a poignant moment on-air
News Kathryn Ingate Deputy Editor of Trendswatch 07:00, 26 Mar 2025
Vernon Kay, 50, urged listeners to be vigilant about their health after his former BBC Radio co-star Chris Stark, 38, announced that he had been diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Chris, who co-hosted a popular afternoon show on BBC Radio 1 with Scott Mills, 51, for 10 years, prior to his move to The Capital Breakfast Show alongside Jordan North in 2022, told his Instagram followers that he had undergone surgery and chemotherapy, and was "effectively cured" due to the disease being caught early.
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Vernon brought up Chris' cancer news while chatting to BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show host Scott on Tuesday morning, as the pair are both close friends with the Capital FM DJ.
The former Family Fortunes presenter said: "We should talk about our dear friend Chris Stark, because he announced on his social media yesterday that he’s had testicular cancer."
Scott replied: "That’s right. So Chris, that I used to do this show with on Radio 1, I’ve known about this, really, only for three weeks but yeah, a shock at first, but he’s going to be fine."
The star then referenced his earlier on-air conversation with Fearne Cotton, who suffered her own health scare last year, and had surgery to remove two benign tumours from her jaw area.
Scott continued: "But this is just what Fearne was saying as well, just check, because Fearne, just before Christmas, had a little lump by her ear which then got bigger and she was thinking, 'I don’t want to worry the doctor about it', or whatever, but then it got a little bit bigger, and she did go and get it checked out.
"Same with Chris, it was just a routine health check but by doing that, they found it early and he’s going to be alright. Obviously it’s a shock, you just don’t expect it to happen to you, but it does.
"But he’s fine, and I’m checking in with him every day, I spoke to him last night, but the fact that you’re sending your love will mean a lot to him," Scott told Vernon.
Giving an insight into his message to Chris, Vernon responded: "Yeah, I sent him a voice note, and I think he’s back on-air this morning with our old friend Jordan North doing what they do, and it’s interesting – just go and have a fumble."
Scott agreed: "Just check your bits! But brave of him to do it, and I know he was a bit… I don’t know, if you’re in any kind of public forum you’re a bit nervous about the reaction, but good for him and I’m glad he’s done it, and more people need to do the same I think."
Vernon continued to praise Chris for his bravery, while sharing some important advice to Radio 2 listeners based on the star's experience.
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He affirmed: "Exactly, yeah, good on him! Yeah, go and have a rummage, it will pay off in the end."
Testicular cancer is most common in men aged between 15 to 49-years-old, according to the NHS. Symptoms to look out for include a lump or swelling in the testicle, an ache or pain in the testicle or scrotum, the testicle getting bigger, or the scrotum feeling heavy.
