POPULAR TV presenter Vernon Kay has had to pull out of a star-studded night in his home town of Bolton this week after contracting Covid.

Vernon was due to return to Bolton on Saturday to host the Meet the Stars night at the Bolton Whites hotel.

The sold-out event would have seen him talking to Coronation Street stars Alan Halsall (Tyrone Dobbs) and Andy Whyment (Kirk Sutherland) along with Bury’s soap favourite Lisa Riley.

Unfortunately, Vernon, aged 47, has now had a positive virus test which means the event has had to be cancelled and will be rearranged for later in the year.

It has also put paid to his upcoming stints on national TV. His planned guest hosting slot on This Morning, alongside Rochelle Hulmes, has been shelved.

And he was also due to cover on Steve Wright’s Radio 2 show – another major booking for Vernon.

He told The Sun newspaper: “I’m absolutely gutted that because of a positive Covid test I’m no longer able to present on This Morning nor do Radio 2 guest hosting and Steve Wright’s cover – two iconic shows which I’ve been a fan of for decades.”

Vernon had previously said he was “delighted” to be coming back to his home town for this weekend’s event. Fans were excitedly anticipating it and the star was donating his fee to the Bolton Wanderers Community Trust where he is an ambassador. He is a life-long Wanderers’ fan.

Lisa Forshaw, whose PR company has organized the event, stated: “Vernon told me he is absolutely gutted not to be coming back to Bolton for this event as he had been really looking forward to it.

“It’s very disappointing to cancel but Vernon and all the other people involved are happy to rearrange to a later date this year. I will be announcing that as soon as it’s arranged.

“Anyone who wants a refund currently can contact me on lisa@ljfpr.co.uk”