He is an exception to the rule that you have to be beautiful to be ubiquitous on British television. Adrian Chiles, the BBC broadcaster known for his blokeish demeanour and lucrative TV contracts, was the most-seen man on television this year.

Chiles, who hosts several high-profile shows, can claim the crown of greatest total viewing figures, unseating ITV’s Ant and Dec from the top spot, according to an analysis of official figures by media agency MPG.

The BBC gave Chiles a £1 million a year salary six months ago and handed the Brummie presenter huge, ready-made audiences for Alist events such as the Beijing Olympics and the Euro 2008 football championships. Chiles, 41, is seen by the corporation as a versatile everyman. His main job is anchoring The One Show, BBC1’s early evening magazine programme, but he also presents Match of the Day 2, and the Apprentice: You’re Fired, the analysis show screened after Sir Alan Sugar’s reality business programme.

“If I’m the most watched person, all I can say is there can’t be much else on television,” Chiles told The Times. Philip Schofield and Noel Edmonds were in second and third place. “I bet Ant and Dec are hurting now. This must hurt. But don’t cry for them, they will be back.” Chiles joined the BBC initially for three weeks of work experience and progressed to presenting Radio 4’s Financial World Tonight in 1993. A long stint fronting the business show, Working Lunch, followed, but Chiles, an avid West Bromwich Albion fan, also forged a career in the sports field, with regular slots on Radio 5 Live.

His down to earth manner won him many fans in the football world, and when the Premier League rights returned to the BBC Chiles was given the job of presenting Match of the Day 2 on Sunday nights, which takes a more informal approach to the game than its Saturday night counterpart, hosted by Gary Lineker.

After playing an integral role in the BBC coverage of the Euro 2008 football championships, minus the England team, Chiles was picked to anchor the morning coverage of the Beijing Olympics, which gave him the vast viewing base that ensured he was the most seen man on television. Born to an English father and a Croatian mother, Chiles studied English Literature at the University of London. He was twice interviewed for a post at MI5 but was eventually turned down by the security services.

He spent years in the hinterland of television before getting his break on prime time. “I wouldn’t say my rise has been meteoric,” he said yesterday. “I’ve been slogging away for years.”

Earlier in the year Chiles was approached by ITV with a proposed £6 million deal to make him the “face” of their football coverage. To keep him at the BBC, Auntie splashed out £2 million on a two-year deal, making him one of the best-paid presenters.

Chiles still finds the idea of being famous nerve-wracking. “When you go up against people who you grew up watching that’s when it’s weird,” Chiles said. “We had Noel Edmonds on The One Show the other week. I’m still trying to get used to the idea that Noel Edmonds watches me on TV.”

The analysis was carried out by MPG, the media agency. Jim McDonald, head of broadcastat the company, said: “The Olympics was always going to be one of the biggest TV events of 2008 but the great success achieved by Team GB made the Beijing Games a must see.

“Largely on the back of that success Adrian Chiles has become the king of British TV presenting.”

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