BBC presenter Vernon Kay surprised locals by rocking up in High Wycombe park on Saturday morning to join early risers on the parkrun.

The TV and radio host who lives with his wife Tess Daly and two daughters in Beaconsfield, headed to Wycombe on Saturday, August 10, to lace up his trainers for a 5k through the Rye Park.  

He took part in the popular event as part of BBC Radio 2’s ‘Let’s Move It’, a six-week campaign aimed at encouraging listeners to be more active over the summer by joining presenters in taking on parkrun routes across the country in an ‘undercover runner’ capacity.

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Kay’s contribution to the initiative in Wycombe marked his first run since completing the ULTRA Ultramarathon and raising over £6 million for Children in Need in November – and he admitted that he “could hear his knees telling him not to” get back on the wagon.

Nonetheless, he persisted and, speaking after the finishing the course, said: “I had such a smashing morning getting up and out into the fresh air.

“It was great to meet so many people who are moving it as volunteers, walkers and winners. Everyone was smiling and the atmosphere was absolutely brilliant.

“You don’t have to be an Olympian to take part, you can come out, get out of breath, pop your shorts on, have a bit of banter with the amazing volunteers and just enjoy it.”