Vernon Kay apologises after Jimmy Savile blunder on BBC Radio 2

Watch: Vernon Kay accidentally calls Jimmy Somerville Jimmy Savile on Radio 2

Vernon Kay was forced to apologise after he confused Scottish singer Jimmy Somerville for disgraced presenter Jimmy Savile during a live interview on the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show.

The presenter was left red-faced during a conversation with Marc Almond on Tuesday morning’s show as he stood in for regular host Zoe Ball.

Kay made the blunder while he read out a message from a fan, which stated: “Awesome voice and so unique. His music has helped me through some dark days, I saw him at Pride and I think I was the first one at Hyde Park to run down and wait for him at the front. Amazing.

Read more: Coleen Nolan reveals Jimmy Savile invited her to hotel room when she was 14

“His duet with Jimmy Savile — Jimmy Somerville, apologies — just blew me away, absolutely awesome.”

Almond burst into laughter when he heard Kay’s mistake, and Kay was clearly embarrassed about the blunder as he said: “Well, that’s a clip we don’t want to ever hear again, apologies. Jimmy Somerville, rewind.”

The 47-year-old later joked: “Crikey, I’m never going to live that one down, am I? There’s a meme right there. Anyway, let’s move swiftly on.”

Listeners laughed off the slip-up on social media as one wrote: "Vernon Kay, you had one job. Don’t get your Jimmy’s in a twist. Please can he be a regular on Radio 2. I never realised I need Jimmy Saville level bloopers to get me up in the morning."

"Poor Vernon mixing up Jimmy Somerville and Jimmy Savile on Radio 2 this morning. Oft," another tweeted.

One listener admitted: "I think Vernon Kay suggesting Marc Almond duet with Jimmy Savile has been the highlight of the morning."

"Vernon Kay congratulating Marc Almond on his duet with Jimmy Savile is the sort of morning entertainment you need," another tweeted.

Savile died in 2011 aged 84 having never been brought to justice for his crimes.

He is now believed to be one of Britain’s most prolific sex offenders.

A 2016 report on his abuse found that staff at the BBC missed numerous opportunities to stop him.

Watch: Boris Johnson refuses to apologise over Savile comment