Vernon Kay has signed a big money golden handcuffs deal with ITV. The two-year agreement, reported to be worth £2 million, will see the 33-year-old presenter work exclusively for the channel on several new entertainment shows. First is Beat The Star, in which an ordinary person takes on a celebrity for a £50,000 prize in a series of physical and mental challenges. The eight-part primetime series will air later this year. ITV's director of entertainment, Simon Shaps, said: "Vernon Kay is one of the most in-demand and popular entertainment presenters on British television and I'm thrilled that we've been able to secure an exclusive partnership with him on ITV." Vernon has already hosted All Star Family Fortunes and Gameshow Marathon for ITV. Previously he was the face of Channel 4's T4 strand and presented BBC1 show Just The Two Of Us with wife Tess Daly. Commenting on the deal, Vernon said: "It's great to be associated with a channel that is dedicated and committed to bringing new entertainment shows to our screens. "I'm extremely thrilled and excited about what lies ahead over the next few years."
