Vernon Kay told BBC Radio 2 listeners to “back off” as he addressed his absence from the show. The station was thrown into chaos on Tuesday when Vernon, 51, missed his show as his train broke down on his commute to London. It meant Sara Cox, who was standing in for Scott Mills, extended the breakfast show by half an hour and presenter Gary Davies was called in to cover for Vernon. Returning to his regular 9.30am slot on Tuesday, Vernon revealed he had been on the receiving end of “gags” from his listeners. In particular, they highlighted his morning register, where he asks listeners to send in their name and location to be read out on air. Addressing his absence, Veron said: “Well yesterday was weird, wasn’t it? When the teacher’s not there to do the register, a little bit awkward. “And that was the number one gag that came my way on social media, ‘Well, what’s the point doing the register if the teacher can’t make it?’” He laughed: “‘You can’t be bothered coming in, we can’t be bothered doing the registering’. Like, back off, easy, nothing to do with me, blame the train line, which I won’t be doing. “These things happen. It was absolutely sweltering and if I was that choo choo train that was pulling 150 tonnes in sweltering heat, I’d give up as well, I’d be honest with you.” Vernon says passengers “came together” and were in “jovial spirits” as they waited for a rescue locomotive to arrive. He added: “What else can you do, we’re not going anywhere. “The doors are locked, it’s sweltering weather , chitter chatter was about. There were a few gags from a few people.” Former Top of the Pops presenter Gary, 67, was called in to cover for Vernon from 10am yesterday. The amused radio host told listeners: “I was supposed to be teeing off around now but it's just going to have to wait.” He told listeners that Vernon’s train had lost power and the doors were unable to open. He added: “He's not going nowhere. And he's still trying to get here. Will he make it or not? If you spot him let me know where he is." Listeners rushed to send in messages to Gary, who usually hosts Sounds of the 80s. One joked: "I can't believe you gave up golf. Vern and I are teeing off now." Vernon later revealed the relief train that was set to help his original had also suffered problems. In a voice note, he explained: “Quick update... the train that's supposed to help us has an issue transferring its power to our train. It's broken." Vernon Kay's show is on BBC Radio 2 weekdays at 9.30am