Jay Kay: 'I will marry Denise'

Denise Van Outen and Jay Kay: Couple in the spotlight

Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay has told a newspaper he plans to marry his girlfriend, television presenter Denise Van Outen, next year.

The 29-year-old singer told The Sun: "I love Denise. She's very special to me.

"We are getting married next year, but no date has been set. We're going to do it when the time is right."

'Bonkers and a laugh'

Van Outen, 25, has spoken before of her desire to marry Jay Kay. But this is the first time he has spoken publicly of marriage.

He said: "No one else is like her at all. She's bonkers and makes me laugh, I wouldn't want anyone else."

In fashion: Jay Kay at a style awards ceremony earlier this year

Jay Kay also told the newspaper that the two try to avoid showbusiness parties, preferring to spend time at home instead.

"If Denise and I get to spend five days together it's a bonus. We hardly get to see each other because of our schedules.

"We may go out once in a while and when we do we always get recognised. Some people notice Denise and haven't got a clue who I am."

Panned by critics

Jay Kay and his band are one of the UK's biggest musical exports. They came to attention in 1993, with their first major hit Too Young To Die. In 1996, their third album Travelling Without Moving making them stars in the US. Jay Kay has also become a tabloid fixture thanks to his taste for flamboyant hats and fast cars - of which he has eight.

Meanwhile, Denise Van Outen has also become a press favourite since she joined Channel 4's early show The Big Breakfast in 1995.

She has found mixed success since leaving the show in January 1999 - her new Channel 4 series, Something For The Weekend, has been panned by critics, but her acting career has been given a boost with a role in the British film Tube Tales, which recently showed at the London Film Festival.