Vernon Kay says "autocue is the death of television".
Vernon Kay
The 'Game of Talents' presenter has revealed he is not a fan of teleprompters and says he feels "shackled" when he has to use one.
He told BBC News: "Autocue is the death of entertainment television.
"I hate autocue. It's horrible, because you're just doing what's on a screen in front of you. I guess I'm a traditionalist, but I personally feel shackled with autocue because you're reading the words that you spent the day preparing in the office.
"But when you're in a studio and the adrenaline is pumping and you go back to reading something you created while eating a Carrs pasty, you're like, 'Ugh, it doesn't really fit.' But then you've got to kind of change yourself to go back and read what is on autocue. I'd rather just learn it, and have a laugh in the studio."
Vernon, 46, first found fame on T4, which also launched the careers of Dermot O'Leary, June Sarpong, Nick Grimshaw, Ben Shephard and Alexa Chung, and he blames autocue for "ruining" the show, which ran from 1998 to 2012.
He said: "I'll say this to you, autocue ruined T4. All those people have all got something to say, all really energetic, all extremely talented, and they've all gone on to prolong their careers. But as soon as T4 went on to autocue and you start reading something that isn't reactive, it just kind of takes the spice out of it."
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