BBC Two

VERNON Kay stopped his BBC Radio 2 show to announce the death of his beloved colleague, station chief Ian Deeley.

The radio star paid tribute to his “larger than life” station manager Ian, 45, who passed away unexpectedly.

Ian’s cause of death remains unknown, with Vernon saying “the BBC family were devastated to hear that our brilliant studio manager, Ian Deeley.”

Vernon, 51, hailed his colleague’s passion for radio, saying Ian loved his job and had worked on most BBC radio stations.

The presenter went on to say: “Even though he was a relatively young chap, Ian had a long and illustrious career, during which he pretty much worked on every BBC radio station. 

“His time at the BBC started with news shifts followed by production work and more recently, Ian was working with our colleagues on the outside broadcast team, or ‘the Broadside Outcasts’ as he jokingly called them.

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“With the OB team, Ian worked on all manner of big radio stuff, including pop festivals, BBC Proms and numerous royal events.

“The one that stands out for us and our little team is the one where Ian personally made sure that our show from the beaches of Normandy a few years ago went seamlessly – and it did. 

“Ian was our lead engineer on our D-Day [80th] celebrations and he was so dedicated that he went on a [reconnaissance trip] over to France in his own time, just to make sure everything was up to his incredible high standard.”

Vernon added: “Ian loved working with us here at Radio 2 and I know one of his career highlights was working with our friend, Steve Wright, he was thrilled to be able to be a part of the big show and as ‘one of the top operatives’ as Steve called him.

“Steve always said, ‘Ian, keep it cranked’ and he did.”

The radio star would go on to offer condolences to Ian’s mum, partner and brother on behalf of the Radio 2 staff.

Later in the show, Vernon thanked his listeners after they sent in some words of condolence.  

Paying tribute to Ian himself Vernon said: “As an engineer, there were few better but there are also so many things we can say about Ian, the person.

“He was an exuberant, larger-than-life character who was always enthusiastic and brought a smile to everyone’s faces.”

He went on to say that he and his colleagues would miss Ian’s “quick wit.”

Hailing the work Ian and other team members do Vernon added: “As you can imagine at Radio 2, it’s not just the names in the Radio Times who do all the work. 

“We do very little, we just talk when we put up the fader, I’ll be honest with you, myself and every on-air name included.

“It’s the massive team behind Radio 2 that make this network so successful.”

BBC bosses have taken inspiration from Britpop legends Blur for the UK’s 2026 Eurovision entry.

The Sun can reveal Look Mum No Computer’s song Eins, Zwei, Drei has been inspired by the British music legends.

It features  random lyrics and almost spoken word verses.

Controversially, the chorus is all in German.

Sam Battle, the man behind Look Mum No Computer, says on the track: “If only there was a language that I could count in, that would make me feel better.”

He then launches into a bizarre counting session in German.

The Eurovision track opens with Sam saying: “So sick of doing the whole 9 to 5.

“I pay my dues I’m just staying alive… and I’m so bored, I’m so bored of it. Oh what’s the point of it.”

A source said; “The song is about as far away from last year’s entry as posisble but maybe that’s what the UK needed to do?

“On one hand it’s very Blur inspired.

“On the other there are whole waves of the song that are in German.

“That being said if you had been played it and told it was from another European country you’d think it’s the perfect Eurovision track.”

The song will get its official first play on BBC Radio 2 Breakfast with Scott Mills on Friday morning. 

The music video is also set to drop on Friday as well.

This year’s contest takes place in May in Vienna.

The Sun revealed earlier this month how Australia will be represented by Delta Goodrem after she told Bizarre of her dream of competing in the show in an interview back in May 2025.

The Sun previously revealed how BBC bosses were forced to go back to the drawing board after one of their shortlisted acts was exposed for inappropriate comments online.

Bosses hauled the act – who is a solo artist – into a meeting where they were dramatically told they would no longer be representing the UK.

As well as the performer, the song was also ready to go – with the track being played to a number of industry high-flyers to gauge the reaction.

It meant that during January staff had been desperately trying to find a replacement act in time for the impending submission deadline.

A source previously said: “The BBC can’t take any chances with Eurovision being such a pressure cooker this year.

“Routine checks brought up past behaviour that just didn’t line up.

“It was brutal but they were dragged into a meeting and told they could no longer represent the UK.

“Naturally the person was mortified and devastated.

“It’s been a mess ever since the start of the year trying to find a new act.”

TOURETTES campaigner John Davidson said he was mortified after sparking a race row by shouting out the N-word at the Baftas. 

John later voluntarily left the ceremony amid shock at his swearing as Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan were on stage presenting an award. 

But the slur by John — whose life inspired the double gong-winning film I Swear — wasn’t cut from the BBC’s two-hour ceremony coverage at London’s Royal Festival Hall. 

Yesterday, bosses apologised and removed the episode from iPlayer. 

Last night John insisted he was “mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning”. 

And Bafta confirmed he left the room before the awards ended. 

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In statement the organisation said: “Early in the ceremony a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard by many people. 

“Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted.

“We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism. 

“John chose to leave the auditorium and watch the rest of the ceremony from a screen and we would like to thank him for his consideration of others on what should have been a night of celebration for him.” 

I Swear saw ­Robert Aramayo, 33, pick up Best Actor. It also won Best Casting. 

Scottish-born John, 54, is a campaigner for Tourette sufferers and aged 16 was the subject of a BBC documentary, John’s Not Mad, about living with the condition, which leads some to shout swear words. 

The Sun understands that Sunday night’s audience was not told a ­person with Tourette Syndrome was present.

Previously, at the Bafta TV awards, people have been warned in similar situations. 

A source said: “Neither host Alan Cumming nor any of the Bafta team warned people — the apology and comments came after the outbursts.” 

Cumming had said: “Tourette Syndrome is a disability. We apologise if you’re offended tonight.” 

Hannah Beachler, the production designer on movie Sinners, said: “What made the ­situation worse was the throwaway apology of, ‘if you were offended’. Of course we were.” 

It was reported BBC production staff did not hear the N-word — which meant it was left in the coverage.

However, a source added: “It was as loud and as clear as day.” 

The corporation said: “Some may have heard strong and offensive language.

“This arose from involuntary ­verbal tics associated with ­Tourette’s and, as explained during the ­ceremony, it was not intentional. 

“We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast.”