Vernon Kay is to sign a big-money deal with ITV that will make him the king of daytime television.
The network’s golden boy is extending his current brief to host a daily afternoon quiz show.
Vernon’s new job follows speculation that he was set to leave the network to replace Sir Bruce Forsyth and join wife Tess Daly on BBC mega-hit Strictly Come Dancing.
He has already made a pilot of his new game show, which will be aired early next year.
An ITV source told the Mirror: “Vernon is one of the key stars on the channel and they want him to have more airtime.
“He’s adored by viewers and is fast establishing himself as one of a handful of top entertainment presenters.
“The quiz show will be extending his current job within ITV so it will be more work for him - and a nice sum of money. The pilot went really well and now everyone is looking forward to the new series.
“He will undoubtedly become the king of the daytime television.”
Vernon’s golden handcuffs deal comes a year after the highly-thought-of Helen Warner returned to ITV as the head of daytime programming. She is determined to make the channel the best and ensure huge viewing figures.
Helen is behind new breakfast show Good Morning Britain and has shaken up lunchtime chat show Loose Women.
Vernon, 40, who has been married to Tess, 45, for nearly 11 years, is best known for presenting programmes such as All Star Family Fortunes, Beat the Star and Splash!
