Meet Ty Pennington

An impressive list of achievements can be found on the Pennington CV. Specialising in painting and sculpture at the Atlanta College of Art, Ty financed his studies by honing his carpentry skills. The combination of art and carpentry found him work as a set designer for films such as Leaving Las Vegas.

Approached by a modelling scout while at college, lucrative modelling and advertising contacts with Levi's and Macy's were swift to follow. He also landed the job of thirsty builder in a Diet Coke ad, possibly where he developed his penchant for working shirtless.

He founded the online furniture company Furniture Unlimited where he sells his designs, which look pretty good to us. And his first book, Ty's Tricks, published by Hyperion in 2003, hit the New York Times bestseller list. Clearly one of life's doers, acting is what he's got his heart set on next and he's moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dream. He recently played the part of Wilbur Wright in the independent film The Adventures Of Ociee Nash.

On constant overdrive, any spare time he has is spent surfing, skateboarding and playing soccer. He's also a keen guitarist and in Barney, his one-man band, he performs in a white tracksuit lit up with Christmas tree lights. Sadly we jest not.

But he does have a sensitive side and a classic Ty-ism is his 'show me some love' bear hug. In his role as teamleader of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition he's a determined peacemaker (witness his mediation of several Preston v Connie showdowns) and he frequently has a tear in his eye when reuniting families with their new homes.