Variety is spice of life for TV Jenni

JENNI FALCONER'S declaration to her pals that she was about to go topless while presenting the National Lottery did not raise many eyebrows.

JENNI FALCONER'S declaration to her pals that she was about to go topless while presenting the National Lottery did not raise many eyebrows.

"They didn't buy into it," says the 33-year-old, smiling wickedly.

"I'd Twittered everyone on my mobile saying they had to watch the National Lottery to get the figures up, and said I was planning to offer my all to the nation - and no one paid the least attention."

Jenni's friends probably guessed correctly that her bold declaration was no more than a ruse to stop people tuning into ITV, which that night was screening the final of Britain's Got Talent and had been helped by all the massive publicity generated by Susan Boyle's bid for fame.

"I knew I was on a hiding to nothing," Jenni says.

"I knew everyone would be watching Britain's Got Talent, and it picked up 19million on the night. But a girl's got to try. Hasn't she?"

Sure. But Jenni admits if she had not been working for the Beeb that night, she would have been watching the variety show on the other side.

"I love variety," she says. "I can remember as as kid watching shows such as Sunday Night At The Palladium and thinking it was fabulous and great fun.

"Then, when I became a teenager, I hated the whole format. It just wasn't cool at all.

"But when you get older you get to really appreciate how fantastic it is to watch a series of great acts follow on from each other."

Which is just as well. Jenni, who is also the host of the popular daytime quiz show Wordplay on Channel Five, is set to present the Scottish Royal Variety Performance at the Concert Hall in October, for the Royal Blind School Appeal.

"The full line-up has yet to be announced, but there are indications Annie Lennox, Sandi Thom, Scottish Opera, David Tennant, Paolo Nutini will appear.

"There will be no disaster acts. Everyone who appears will be talented - the very best musicians, entertainers, comedians, dancers, authors and poets, with a focus on those who have Scottish connections.

"I am delighted this night is taking place. As well as rasing funds for the blind, it is a chance to show there is fantastic talent out there.

"But we don't want the tickets to be sold on the appearance of any particular acts, it should be about the night and raising awareness.

The gorgeous Scot raised a great deal of public awareness herself recently when she announced she was to be the new face, or rather the body, of the Adore Moi collection by Ultimo.

Her new role as an undies ambassador arrived on the back of a photo shoot she did for a men's magazine, in which she was photographed wearing the sort of undergarments that would not keep a young lady warm at a bus stop on a winter's morning.

However, those photos of the London Marathon-honed body and the Ultimo promotion shots have no doubt sent a shiver down the spine of the nation's young men.

"I'm not sure about that," she says with a giggle. "The Ultimo job was one of those challenges I took. I have done lots of things in my career; reality television, met Tom Cruise, and I thought Why not?' The pictures weren't sleazy or anything."

Jenni, who made her television debut in 1994 as a contestant on Blind Date, has packed a lot into her time on TV. The former Leeds University student once fronted BBC Scotland's Big Country and ITV's We Can Work It Out and she has proved adept at handling major celebrity interviews for GMTV.

Jenni is one of the few attractive faces on the box with a brain to match the aesthetic.

She is also smart enough to know television is a fickle friend.

"You can't stop working," she says. "Out of sight out of mind."

What she would love to do in the future is more reality TV.

"Not something like I'm A Celebrity no way. I have been to Australia to cover it and there is no way I would go through that. I know some of the Aussies involved in the production and they would have me eat the most unimaginable things.

"What I would like to do is Strictly Come Dancing.

In the Sport Relief horse riding reality show Only Fools And Horses I went from being the worst competitor to winning it. I like the idea of learning a new skill and would love to dance properly."

Jenni won't dance - or sing - as part of her stint on The Scottish Royal Variety Performance.

"Are you kidding? I'm a rubbish singer. I was once asked to audition for a top west end musical and thought it would be really cool.

"So I went to a London singing instructor. But I was immediately told I should knock the idea on the head right away. Now, I can't even bear to sing Tiffany's I Think I'm Alone Now at all."

Jenni will co-host the gala evening alongside comedian Tam Cowan. Which is why she will avoid trying to tell jokes.

"Every joke he makes will be at my expense," she says, grinning. "I'd like to come back at him, but I'm not fast enough and he would only make it worse for me."