SHOCK: Vernon Kay dealt huge blow as top show axed after two years
Vernon Kay and AJ Odudu’s fashion show has been called off (Image: ITV)
ITV bosses have decided to pull the plug on fashion show M&S: Dress the Nation after two seasons, and that is bad news for Strictly Come Dancing stars AJ Odudu and Vernon Kay. The series was first aired in 2024, and according to the broadcaster, the programme was watched by eight million people; however, it has been called off until further notice.
The 60-minute episodes focused on a group of candidates competing to secure an exclusive mentorship with M&S across design, buying, merchandising and marketing. The presenters also documented M&S’s search for the very best emerging fashion designer. The winner then had their design sold exclusively in selected M&S stores and online for the forthcoming autumn and winter season.
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But fans won’t be able to see the pair hosting this year.
The ITV show offers participants an exclusive chance to work with M&S (Image: ITV)
An ITV spokeswoman said: “Following two series of Dress the Nation, unfortunately we won’t be commissioning another at this time. However, we look forward to continuing our work with M&S and South Shore this summer on the six series of Cooking with the Stars and the fourth series of Tom Kerridge Cooks.”
She is expected to return to front the non-celebrity Big Brother in September, though ITV have yet to confirm the date or whether she will be returning with Will Best to front the show.
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Sharry Cramond, M&S fashion, home & beauty marketing director, said of season 2 at the time: “After the incredible response to Series 1, with EIGHT MILLION viewers, we knew we had something special on our hands. This series takes it up another level – more fashion, more creativity, more amazing energy.
She continued: “Dress The Nation gives viewers an exclusive insight into the energy, creativity and passion embedded within the M&S brand, and a glimpse of how we create the magic, that our customers can’t get enough of. At the centre of it all is our incredible designers, who each week delivered fresh and exciting design skills, reflecting the incredible emerging talent we’re seeing across the UK. We were thrilled to join forces again with ITV and South Shore, and we are incredibly proud and excited to launch series two.”
Vernon also spoke about the show ahead of the final series last year. He said: “Dress The Nation isn’t just about fashion, it’s about changing someone’s life forever whilst discovering more of their own confidence, creativity and talent.
“The level of skill this year is unreal which means the competition is ridiculously tough but seeing people shine doing what they love makes for proper feel-good telly.”
