Vernon Kay forced to pull out of presenting This Morning as he tests positive for COVID-19

Vernon Kay has been forced to pull out of his guest presenting slot on This Morning next week after testing positive for COVID-19.

Vernon, 47, was set to front the popular morning show alongside Rochelle Humes next week, however ITV bosses have been ‘left scrambling’ to find a replacement, according to The Sun.

Vernon told the paper: ‘I’m absolutely gutted that because of a positive Covid test I’m no longer able to present on This Morning next week with Rochelle.’

Bad news: Vernon Kay, 47, has been forced to pull out of his guest presenting slot on This Morning next week after testing positive for COVID-19

The I’m A Celebrity winner was also gearing up to cover Steve Wright’s Radio 2 show, a gig he has stepped down from in light of his diagnosis.

Vernon added: ‘Nor [can I] do Radio 2 guest hosting and Steve Wright’s cover, two iconic shows which I’ve been a fan of for decades.’

MailOnline has reached out to Vernon’s representatives for further comment.

ITV bosses must now find a last-minute replacement for Vernon, with hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield not due back from their summer break until next month.

Last minute: ITV bosses must now find a last-minute replacement for Vernon, with hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield not due back from their summer break until next month

Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford – who have been filling in for Holly and Phillip – are also said to be unavailable.

Eamonn, 61, announced on Monday’s episode of This Morning that he and Ruth, also 61, were in their final week of presenting the show for the summer break.

Welcoming viewers to the show on Monday, the couple mysteriously revealed it was their ‘last week’ as well as the ‘last week of summer’.

Unavailable: Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford – who have been filling in for Holly and Phillip – are also said to be unavailable

Rochelle Humes will present This Morning with Alison Hammond on Bank Holiday Monday and was supposed to be joined by Vernon from Tuesday.

The Sun further reported that Rochelle, 32, had told of her excitement at welcoming Vernon to This Morning.

According to the paper, Rochelle said: ‘I’m so looking forward to hosting with the wonderful Alison Hammond again. I also can’t wait to welcome Vernon Kay into the This Morning family!’

Rochelle said: ‘I’m so looking forward to hosting with the wonderful Alison Hammond again. I also can’t wait to welcome Vernon Kay into the This Morning family!’