OCH AYE’M A CELEBRITY
Vernon Kay signs up as TV chiefs search for remote Scottish castle to host jungle show
VERNON Kay is set to make his family a fortune after signing up for this year’s I’m a Celebrity.
The TV and radio presenter had been approached to join the line-up for the past two years, but talks stalled.
Now show insiders are thrilled to have finally clinched a deal with him, believed to be worth £250,000.
It means the former All Star Family Fortunes host will appear on ITV’s biggest show over the autumn while his wife Tess Daly presents BBC1’s Saturday night hit Strictly Come Dancing.
An insider said: “Everyone’s so pleased to have Vernon on board. He’s a lovely guy, full of down-to-earth northern charm and perfect for the show.”
Kay, 46, has seen his career stall since he apologised live on air on Radio 1 for sending flirty text messages to former page 3 model Rhian Sugden in 2010.
In recent years the dad of two has been hosting Formula E racing on Channel 5 and YouTube, after Family Fortunes ended in 2015 and diving show Splash was axed after two runs in 2014.
Sugden, who texted the married star again in 2016, said last month their exchanges had been blown out of proportion.
“It was the biggest scandal of that year and we didn’t kiss, hold hands, there was no sex texting.
“It was just a bit of flirting, which yes, was inappropriate, but it was nowhere near what it was made out to be.”
A decade ago, Vernon, who has daughters Phoebe, 15, and Amber, 11, told Radio 1 listeners he had made “some foolish and stupid decisions”, adding: “To my family and everybody, I am very sorry.”
He said this month that lockdown had brought him closer to Tess, 51, after 16 years of marriage. He explained: “When you’re spending 24/7 with each other it really gives you the chance to kind of reconnect and get to know each other – not better, but you really get under the skin of your relationships.”
It emerged in April that Corrie favourite Beverley Callard has also signed up for this year’s I’m a Celebrity. Other stars rumoured to be in talks include football pundit Paul Merson and Price Tag singer Jessie J.