VERNON Kay stands out in a crowd. Any crowd. He's a tall lad who harbours a mild obsession with meat pies. "Bolton have got the best pies in the football league," he asserts. And there's absolutely no reason to doubt him.

Lancashire-born Vernon, 31, is one of the nation's favourite TV and radio presenters. Any reservations about his popularity were silenced by the weekly cheers of the audience when he took part last year in Ant & Dec's Gameshow Marathon.

Some have him down as the next Bruce Forsyth - he's even been to dinner at Brucie's mansion. But the stylish suits, cheeky smile and northern charm clearly mark him out as the first Vernon Kay, with just a little help from the sort of humour beloved of Bolton namesake, Peter.

Listen to his Radio One show between 10am and 1pm every Saturday and Sunday and you'll hear why millions tune in. For three hours, he's their best mate, whether they've got a hangover, need dating advice or simply want a smile to take them through the rest of the day.

He's also happy to talk about home life with wife Tess Daly, his enthusiasm for golf - "it's got me hook, line and sinker" - and his teenage days at St John Rigby Sixth Form College in Orrell, Wigan.

T4

After years at T4, primetime success has come relatively late and doesn't appear to have turned his head. It's not just TV bosses in this country who have noticed his potential. He fronted ITV1's Hit Me Baby One More Time last year and then did the same for NBC in America. He's now being tipped to present an ITV1 revival of quiz classic Family Fortunes.

Vernon is currently hosting BBC1 duets show Just The Two Of Us, which continues at 8.30pm tonight with just four remaining pairs battling it out to take part in Sunday's final. His co-host is Stockport-raised Tess - the first time they have presented together as husband and wife on mainstream TV.

Bookmakers William Hill have helpfully offered odds of 50-1 that Vernon and Tess will split up as a result of the pressures of working together.

He isn't worried. "I'm chuffed to be presenting with such a beautiful co-host and someone I know so well."

Tess has already enjoyed success alongside Bruce Forsyth on Strictly Come Dancing. "Working with Brucie was an absolute honour," she says. "He's amazing, inspirational and funny. He's always cracking jokes. He's the master of his profession and you can't help learning from him. It was a really wonderful experience. So Vernon has a lot to live up to.

"Vernon and I met when we last worked together on a presenting job for UK Play, but we only did one day's work together. And this is the first time we've worked together as presenters since.

Progession

"But I think it's been a fairly natural progression, and it was bound to happen eventually. We've had lots of offers but none of them seemed right. Just The Two Of Us is exactly the kind of show we were looking for because we both love music, live TV and entertainment. So it's the perfect mix.

"And I think we feel quite comfortable working together. We're not discussing our home lives like Richard and Judy. On the night, it's not about us - it's about the stars of the show. We just happen to be hosting it."

NOT that Vernon wouldn't sing, if asked. "Personally, I would love to take part and give it a go. I've not got a bad voice," he says. "If I had the choice, I'd like to be paired with someone like Alison Moyet - a real power vocal diva.

"I like anything and everything, as long as they can do it live. That's what I like about the whole concept of the show - the live band. I've been with T4 for years and I'm sick of seeing miming to backing tracks. It's really frustrating. If you're a true musician, you've got to prove you can do it live. That's what makes Just The Two Of Us special - watching everyone perform with a live band."

Vernon and Tess tied the knot at St Mary's Church, in Horwich, in September, 2003.

The bride wore white, and so did the groom - a white suit from Savile Row in London. Jocelyn Brown, who with Matt Alright, was surprisingly voted off Just The Two Of Us last weekend, sang at their reception.

Amazing

Tess recalls: "When she started singing Somebody Else's Guy, everyone thought it was a record and then turned around and there she was. It was just amazing. The dancefloor was full in seconds."

Married life suits them both. But it's not all glamour at home with Vern and Tess.

He admits to "slumming it" behind closed doors - walking around in his dressing gown and socks. That may also be because the couple are busy looking after their daughter, Phoebe Elizabeth, now 16 months old.

TV success and fame are one thing. But down-to-earth Lostock lad Vernon says nothing compares to becoming a dad. "It's absolutely brilliant - that's from personal experience."