Vernon Kay: pulled out of Sing If You Can

Family Fortunes host Vernon Kay has pulled out of a new TV show because it was too “crazy”.

Vernon was due to co-host Sing If You Can with Stacey Solomon but after filming a pilot for the programme – which will feature celebrities such as Boyzone’s Mikey Graham, Jedward and Chesney Hawkes singing while being distracted by random events such as having their chests waxed – agreed with producers that a different choice of host would be more suitable.

A source told The Sun newspaper: “Vern would never describe himself as a serious sort of bloke but this show was a bit crazy even for him.

“It was chaos on set and he just didn’t know what to do with himself half the time.”

The show will now be fronted by comic Leigh Francis in the guise of his alter ego Keith Lemon. Kay backs the choice: “Because of the mix of comedy and slapstick challenges it would benefit from having a comedian to host it.”

Other celebrities set to take part in the show – which will air in a primetime Saturday evening slot – include Darren Gough, X Factor stars Brenda Edwards and Ray Quinn, former G4 star Jonathan Ansell, Toyah Wilcox, Sinitta, Steps’ Faye Tozer, and Michelle Gayle.