Vernon Kay delivered some much-needed good news on his BBC Radio 2 show about the health of their treasured family friend who had been battling cancer. On Friday (April 19) the dad-of-two shared a positive update about the health of their pet dog who recently endured a successful operation to battle the disease.

The 50-year-old broadcaster told his listeners that his little chihuahua is on the mend and recovering well from the major surgery. Vernon explained: “He had a major operation, so we’re going to take him for a walk. When I say walk, we’ll just drag him.”

When a colleague on his show suggested that he might carry the pooch instead, the presenter chuckled: “I’m not carrying a chihuahua... it will walk. I could just put my chihuahua in the hood of my hoodie.”

His co-star couldn’t help but tease him, dubbing him the “Bolton Paris Hilton” as he contemplated taking his furry friend out for a stroll before signing off the air. The heartwarming moment follows Vernon’s history of empathy towards fellow dog owners.

Last year it was reported that Vernon consoled a fan dealing with his loss of their own pet when they commented on one of his Instagram posts featuring his beloved hound.

Responding to the fan’s devastating comment, which read: “Had to say goodbye to my little man last week, he was very poorly, miss him so much,” Vernon offered comfort through a touching reply of heart emojis.

Sadly, the heartache for his four-legged friends isn’t foreign to Vernon, with his family facing a tragic incident in 2019 when his wife Tess Daly accidentally ran over one of their dogs.

In a devastating interview with The Sun on Sunday, Tess revealed: “I’m devastated by this terrible accident. It’s a dog owner’s worst nightmare.

“It has had a huge effect on the whole family and we are heartbroken at losing Minnie. This has, and continues to be, a very emotional time for us all.” The couple’s pet Minnie managed to escape their home while the couple were having work done on their home.

A source revealed at the time: “They have had the builders in, carrying out various bits of repair work in the courtyard. And one of the labourers foolishly left the front door open – and Minnie escaped.

“Tess had been out for the morning and as she drove back in and up the driveway she was too high up in her 4x4 to see Minnie suddenly bolt out.

“It all happened in a flash and there was absolutely nothing she could do. But it was sickening. Minnie was like another child to Tess and Vernon and to lose a member of the family in such a tragic, hideous way is understandably devastating.”