As well as working on television as an expert on Antiques Roadshow from 1979 onwards,[2][3] Kay presented a landmark series for BBC One, Brilliantly British, which explored the lives of Thomas Chippendale, Josiah Wedgwood and William Morris.

Kay has written or contributed to a number of books on the subject of antiques and collectables and has appeared in numerous television and radio programmes.

In 2009, for a special episode of BBC TV's Priceless Antiques Roadshow, Kay was behind the wheel of the Aston Martin DB5 driven by Daniel Craig in Casino Royale.

[4] She created and produces a stage show with fellow Antiques Roadshow expert Paul Atterbury called 'Have You Had it Long Madam?'

On 27 December 2010 Kay won an edition of BBC One's Celebrity Mastermind, with a score of 36 points,[6] having chosen 'The Life and Works of Josiah Wedgwood' as her specialist subject.