Vernon Kay turns down ITV for 'Strictly'?

Vernon Kay has reportedly rejected an exclusivity deal with ITV in the hope of replacing Bruce Forsyth as the host of Strictly Come Dancing.

Forsyth is rumoured to be stepping down as the presenter of the BBC dance competition this year, and Kay has previously been tipped to replace the 82-year-old whenever it happens.

Kay - who agreed a £900,000 one-year deal with ITV in 2010 - has now apparently refused to sign a similar contract tying him to the broadcaster in order to be in a position to secure the top role on Strictly.

"Vernon is desperate to get the Strictly job, and the BBC are very keen on him taking it," an insider told The Sun.

"Bruce is his idol but everyone knows he may be off soon. Producers keep expecting the call from him any day to say he's had enough.

"So Vern turned down another exclusive deal from ITV as that would have taken him out of the game if Brucie retires. He'll still do Family Fortunes but they'll just pay him a fee for every show he does."

If Kay was selected as the new host of Strictly, he would join up with his wife Tess Daly, who has co-presented the show since it began in 2004.