SITTING in a Bolton town centre pub with Vernon Kay is entertaining to say the least.

Not simply because Vernon is excellent company but because of the attention he attracts. Especially female.

As more people enter the bar, the more he is recognised and it is not just one young girl who looks over and flutters her eyelashes at the six-foot plus TV star.

Ever the gent, he ushers me to a table and heads for the bar. He returns with two drinks and pulls up a chair beside me. "I suppose I still haven't really got used to it," he says modestly, "but it's nice, the fact that people recognise me from the telly."

Vernon, aged 27, is home on a flying visit to attend an awards evening at his old school, St Joseph's RC High in Horwich. He has not been back to Bolton "for ages" and is looking forward to seeing his family and friends.

"I'm off out round Bolton tonight," he smiles, "after I've finished at school I'm going to go out and have a laugh with my mates.

"It's great to get back and see everyone -- especially my mum, although she's been down to London to stay with me a few times."

He has lived in London since being spotted by scouts from Select Model Agency but does not do any modelling these days, preferring to concentrate on his expanding TV career.

He is currently co-presenter on CH4's live Sunday morning show, T4 and is set to present the MTV Awards in Frankfurt next month followed by the Smash Hits Poll Winners Party in London's Docklands in December.

"Since I first appeared on TV, everything's moved so quickly," he says, "I've got a few other key projects lined up but I can't say anything about them just yet," he adds with a wink, "although the BEN will be the first to know. I promise."

Famous

No matter how down-to-earth this Lostock lad is, he still mingles with the rich and, very, famous.

Last year saw the start of a firm friendship with Oasis frontman, Liam Gallagher and the two regularly sit up until the small hours arguing about their beloved home teams -- Bolton Wanderers and Manchester City.

"Ha," laughs Vernon, "Liam hasn't got a leg to stand on now has he? Although I don't tell him that. You wouldn't say that to Liam!

"We met last year at the Glasgow Green gig and he's a great bloke. He introduced me to Nicole Appleton, she was pregnant at the time, and he kept on patting her tummy.

"We don't see each other that often but when we do you can bet the Wanderers/City topic crops up again . . . and again." By now the pub is full and Vernon is still receiving some adoring glances and I have to admit to feeling somewhat smug being in the company of such a coveted drinking partner.

Yet, sorry ladies, Vernon is in love and has been for the past two years.

"Her name is Tess," he offers, "Tess Daley and we met at the BBC Christmas party. She's worked on a number of TV programmes but she's currently in Los Angeles filming LA Pool Party with Jayne Middlemiss and Lisa Snowdon -- George Clooney's ex."

Vernon admits the distance between them can be difficult but says he did managed to visit Tess last week when he made the trip out to LA.

"It was incredible," he says, refreshingly still star-struck. "We went to a party and I suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned round and it was Mark Wahlberg.

"He'd seen T4 when he was last in England and said he really enjoyed it. I was sitting next to him having a good old chat when Jim Carey came over, slapped Mark on the back and introduced himself to me.

"He then pulled up a chair and joined in the conversation. Absolutely crazy!

"Then, to top it all, I saw Leonardo di Caprio across the room but I didn't have the guts to go over and introduce myself.

"Honestly, it was like one of those dreams you have when you know all these famous people. I kept thinking 'here's me, this lad from Bolton hob-nobbing with the stars'.

And with that he was off to the bar again to buy me another Coke and a packet of crisps.