Bryan Burnett, king of the pornographic gameshow? Shurely shome mishtake? The quiet-spoken laddie from Aberdeen with a penchant for good ole country 'n' western music and family-orientated travelogues as the Hugh Hefner of Scottish light entertainment? Just so, according to tabloid hounds slavering over Mr Burnett's forthcoming gameshow, Party Animals. They claim Scottish Television stands ''accused of plumbing new depths of tackiness as full details emerged about a new game show billed by its presenter as a ''saucy sexathlon of erotic endeavour''.

Adding his outrage to the fray is SNP Shadow Culture Minister Mike Russell, who condemns the programme thus: ''Producers should remember that television is not only meant to entertain but also educate and inform audiences. This type of programme is tasteless and is the modern equivalent of what the Romans did to the gladiators."

Bryan Burnett as Caligula, then? We sought an audience with the emperor in his den of iniquity. ''Ach, it's a bit of fun,'' quoth the mild-mannered fellow. ''It's not for middle-aged men, it's for 16-33-year-olds. In fact, initially the audience decided we were too tame - this is what the contestants themselves said they wanted. And remember Scottish Television makes a huge range of programmes, of which this is only one.''

One, indeed, and unique. Not even Tiswas at its boldest and bawdiest had quiz rounds entitled Bedknobs and Boobjobs. Or Spit and Swallow, in which the penalty for a wrong answer is to drink concoctions such as tuna brine.

Is it possible the man has drawn on the life of Bryan for such outrageous ooer-Mrs-ness? It's doubtful. By all accounts he was a rather quiet and studious lad; parties at the Maison Burnett were never Borgian. Young Bryan was, however, of a decidedly showbiz disposition. When he attended Aberdeen's Summerhill Academy he indulged his passion for the music of Shakin' Stevens by playing in a band called Seague. Whether fellow pupils ever forgave that isn't recorded, but he did find a new fan base when the school common room was ruled out of bounds for fellow sixth-years - Burnett orchestrated successful strike action.

This enthusiasm for getting things done was transferred to his career. His first foray into the showbiz world was with DC Thomson, but that bastion of journalism in Dundee, for whom he worked as magazine columnist Bitchy Bry. Music, however, was always his prime passion, and he was soon spinning platters for various Scottish radio stations.

He is, of course, now best known for his role as world traveller, the Mr Cosmo of holiday programme Scottish Passport, which first screened in 1994.

Despite being busy with game shows and gaining infamy as the Paul Raymond of TV revue, his passion for music, remains undiminished - his long-running Brand New Opry radio show remains a shining star to which many of Scotland's cowboys and cowgirls hitch their wagon.

Burnett may now sport a blond barnet, but his fiery trajectory seems remarkably similar to that of another ginger-haired DJ-presenter who became a media mogul: could Party Animals will see Burnett emerge as host with the most?

l Bryan Burnett presents recent highlights and hot spots of Scottish Passport tonight on Scottish, at 7.30pm