The former Blue Peter presenter and Fully Booked host has signed a six-figure contract to star as a vet in the popular ITV series.

"He's a fine young actor with a great profile" said Emmerdale producer Kieran Roberts.

"We heard he was very keen to join the show and I'm thrilled to sign him. He will come on at the end of an explosive storyline in March."

Gail Porter was Tim's original co-host on Fully Booked

Vincent, 27, made his name presenting Blue Peter before moving on to front The Clothes Show, Short Change and Sunday morning children's show Fully Booked.

It is understood he would like to continue presenting alongside his part in Emmerdale, which starts filming in February.

His agent Peter Powell said: "Tim is a highly successful TV presenter and will continue to be so.

"He is looking forward enormously to the challenge of taking on the role in Emmerdale. I think he will be brilliant."

The star has already acted in the BBC One rural police surgeon series Dangerfield and played a teenager in seven runs of the ITV series Children's Ward.

Despite his squeaky clean image, he has played several adult film roles.

He appeared in the Bruce La Bruce picture Skin Flick and is currently filming the British movie Sorted with Tim Curry and Jason Donovan.