ORTIS Deley is best known for his time as a children’s presenter – but it was an appearance on Blind Date that set his career alight.
The lovable presenter appeared on the beloved dating show in 1995 as a fresh-faced 22-year-old in the hope of finding love.
Since then, Ortis has enjoyed a successful and varied career as a presenter.
The 48-year-old has moved from children's TV shows such as Live & Kicking and the Smash Hits Roadshow to hosting The Gadget Show on Channel 5.
He has also tried his hand at acting with a brief appearance in the second Pirates of the Caribbean film.
But it was his time on Blind Date 26 years ago – his first ever TV appearance – that inspired the father-of-two to want to work in the television industry.
Remembering host Cilla Black as the person who gave him his break into TV, he thanked her for the "memories" in a touching tweet when she passed away in 2015.
He wrote: "Just heard the news of Cilla Black's passing. I owe that lady a lot. Thanks for the memories.
Since his stint on Blind Date, Ortis has appeared alongside actor Clive Owen and Hollywood beauty Jennifer Aniston in the 2006 feature film Derailed.
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In early 2009, Ortis joined the popular technology show The Gadget Show as a co-presenter with Suzi Perry, Jon Bentley and Jason Bradbury, making his debut in the Road Trip Special episode.
In 2011, however, Ortis came under fierce criticism after Channel 4 dropped him as the main presenter of its world athletics championships coverage.
Following hundreds of complaints from viewers, Ortis was awkwardly replaced by Rick Edwards after a litany of live – and hard to watch – TV gaffes.
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