Johnny's on-air tears over miscarriage

Patrick Foster

Johnny Vaughan, the radio DJ and television presenter, broke down on air yesterday after announcing that his wife had suffered a miscarriage.

Vaughan, who presents the breakfast show on London's Capital FM with Lisa Snowdon -- the model who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing -- became emotional after sharing the news with listeners.

In March he had announced on the show that Antonia Davies (41), his wife, was three months pregnant with their third child, adding that he was "absolutely thrilled". The couple, who married in 1999, have a daughter, Tabitha (9), and a son Rafferty (7).

But yesterday Vaughan had to take nearly half an hour away from the microphone to compose himself after telling listeners: "The Mrs and I suffered a bit of a tragedy with the baby we were going to have, and thank you very much for your support here, in the team and in the building, and everyone out there."

The programme, which attracts 1.2 million listeners every week, went into an advertising break as soon as Vaughan made the announcement. The station played music, with the occasional interjection from Snowdon, while the presenter recovered.

Vaughan and his wife have been together for more than 20 years, and first met when Ms Davies, the daughter of a former Daily Mirror journalist, rented videos from a shop where Vaughan worked. "I called her up and she said, 'Oh, you want that video back, don't you?'," Vaughan once told an interviewer. "I said, 'No. I want you to go for dinner with me,' and that was that."

A spokesman for Vaughan said: "Johnny Vaughan and his wife Antonia have sadly suffered a miscarriage. The couple, who were expecting their third child, have asked people to respect their wishes for privacy at this difficult time."

Vaughan, who was jailed for two and a half years in 1988 for his involvement in a cocaine deal, has enjoyed a varied career that has included high-profile stints on the BBC and Channel 4. He was spotted by Channel 4 in 1993, and in 1997 was offered the opportunity of presenting The Big Breakfast -- the show that made Chris Evans famous.

Vaughan joined the BBC in 2001 in a deal then said to be worth around £2.5m.

hnews@herald.ie