Veron Kay manages to do his caber toss live on BBC Radio2

Vernon Kay broadcast his BBC Radio 2 show live from Rothesay on the Isle of Bute in Scotland yesterday where he tossed a caber.

He was doing it for the grand finale of Let’s Move It – the station’s summer fitness initiative – and in honour of the Bute Highland Games, which are taking place this weekend. Vernon had been invited to the Bute by Vice Chieftain, Gordon Sutherland.

Straight after tossing the caber live on air Vernon said: “Oh that’s hard! That’s really difficult because the centre of gravity of the caber is at the top, so it’s pulling your back, so you’ve got to lean forward… ah wow! Really chuffed, I’ll do it again!”

After throwing the second caber he said: “Well that’s really difficult, it’s all about managing the weight and it’s all about physics, isn’t it? I got a lovely round of applause from the crowd. I’ve thrown it twice and I’m out of breath.”

Guest on the show, former haggis hurling record holder, Alan Pettigrew, told Vernon after tossing his second caber, that he did “So much better than Eddie Hall”, who is a former World’s Strongest Man.

Teachers and pupils from the local primary and nursery school came to watch and brought banners of support to cheer Vernon on after practising to toss the caber themselves in honour of his visit.

Singer Tom Walker entertained listeners and the crowds, performing his new song Holy Ghost and hit single Leave A Light On; plus Gladiators Steel and Sabre had a go at the shot put and hammer throw events.

All photos: BBC

At the end of the programme, Vernon said: “It’s been an absolute joy to come to the Isle of Bute. Thank you very much and thank you to the Radio 2 listeners for getting involved.  Let’s Move It was about just getting us moving a little bit more and its been something much bigger than we expected.  It’s been about coming together doing a bit more looking after ourselves and helping each other do the same.”