As supporters go, they don't get much bigger than your parents.

And Vernon Kay's mum couldn't be prouder of her son as he competes a gruelling ultramarathon - a 115 mile trek back to his hometown of Bolton.

The radio presenter's mum - who lives in Horwich - filled up on air telling him how proud she was.

And Vernon was simply overwhelmed with emotion after hearing from his parents during his gruelling challenge for Children in Need.

The BBC Radio 2 mid-morning presenter hoped to save his tears for Friday when he completes the 115-mile trek, but he was overwhelmed with emotion after already hearing from avid listener Barbara.

But found himself becoming emotional again later on the same day.

His mum Gladys said: “Now listen, you're doing wonderfully.

“Honestly, I can't tell you.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by BBC Radio 2 (@bbcradio2)

“All this love and support you're getting is getting to me.

“I'm so so proud.

“I'm filling up because you know how much you're loved and to hear these comments about you online and listening to all these people lining up for my son, it's just too much.

“I love you.

“Keep going love, because I know how you feel about Children in Need and I know that's the only reason you're doing it, for these children.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by BBC Radio 2 (@bbcradio2)

“Give my love to all those people who are around you who are keeping you standing up.

"Okay love, I’ll let you go.

"You have that tuna baked potato and get some rest.

"Oh I love you Vernon, keep it up."

Vernon's dad kept things short and to the point, with some wise words.

Norman said: “Do what your mum says, she's the boss.”

Vernon said: “I’ve been doing that since I were born.

"Oh man, twice [crying] today.

The Bolton News: Vernon and Jeremy Vine on the road last nightVernon and Jeremy Vine on the road last night (Image: BBC)"I said to you I’d save the tears for Friday, but that now has just sent me over the edge.

"My mum crying on the radio because she’s proud.

"That’s something else."

Vernon joked before setting off from Leicester on his trek home that he would pop into his parents for a cuppa after his big homecoming at Bolton Wanderers FC Stadium.

He said: I can have a cup of tea and a nice pasty when I get there!"

He is currently on his third day on foot across four days to get him from Victoria Park in Leicester, recent home of Radio 2 in the Park, to Bolton Wanderers’ football stadium.

This morning at 9.15am Vernon spoke to Zoe on Radio 2’s Zoe Ball Breakfast Show and she revealed the new total that he has raised so far is £1,391,768.

To stay up to date with Vernon’s progress:

  • Listen to his regular updates on Radio 2 shows across the week live on Radio 2 and listen back on BBC Sounds 
  • To make a donation click here (www.bbc.co.uk/Vernon)
  • Follow his progress on the BBC Live page at https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/e8pgfx/live/c369mb

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.