BBC Host Jon Kay Opens Up About His Battle with Deteriorating Eyesight
BBC Breakfast host Jon Kay, known for his sharp reporting and quick wit, revealed a personal health struggle during Wednesday’s show. Sitting alongside co-host Sally Nugent, the 54-year-old presenter shared that his eyesight has been deteriorating, likely due to too much screen time.
The topic came up when Jon discussed an article from The Guardian during the morning’s paper review. The article highlighted global research from a university in China, which suggests a growing number of children are suffering from short-sightedness. “There is a university in China which has done research in countries all around the world, thousands of kids involved, and it says they think one in three children are short-sighted,” Jon explained. He added, “And they think it’s because we’re spending too much time on our screens!”
Sally Nugent quickly chimed in, pointing out the culprit, “On our phones! Of course!” Jon agreed, emphasizing how the pandemic exacerbated the issue by keeping children indoors and glued to their devices. “It was heightened by the pandemic when kids had to work from home, spending more time on their phones, more time away from their friends, not socialising. Just on their devices all the time,” he said, citing the findings reported by The Mirror.
Jon then admitted that he too has experienced worsening eyesight, humorously confessing, “And I have to say, probably the same!” Sally couldn’t help but laugh at his candidness, replying, “Do you agree? Dr. Jon Kay.”
The BBC host went on to describe how his deteriorating vision has caused him to increase the text size on his phone over the years. “Yeah, I have! I keep thinking I need a much bigger phone, there’s something wrong with my phone but it’s true, isn’t it?” Jon said, sharing that each year he continues to enlarge the text on his device. Gesturing toward Sally’s glasses, he added, “We all need them, don’t we!”
In addition to his eyesight struggles, Jon has often turned to Sally for fashion advice on set. “In the morning, I’ll be like, ‘Sal, does this tie go?’ And she goes, ‘Ah, no.’ She guides me. She’s like my carer,” Jon joked in a previous interview with The Mirror.
He also admitted to drinking copious amounts of coffee to stay sharp during his early morning shifts. “I drink a ludicrous amount of coffee every morning. I have one when I get in about a quarter to five. And then have four or five more during the programme,” he revealed with a smile.