Tess Daly and Vernon Kay have confirmed that they are splitting after 23 years together. In a statement shared online, the couple said: "After much consideration, and with a deep sense of care and respect for one another, we have made the decision to separate amicably.
“This has not been an easy choice, but it comes from a place of mutual understanding and a shared desire for what is best for both of us. We remain great friends and most importantly, fully committed to our roles as loving and supportive parents, which will always be our priority. There are no other parties involved in this decision."
The couple's split comes less than a year after Tess confirmed that she was stepping away from presenting Strictly Come Dancing, which she had been starring in since 2004.
The pair appeared to be solid, and back in February, they hosted an edition of The One Show together, the first time that they'd jointly presented a show for 20 years. Opening the show, Vernon introduced his then wife as "TV royalty" and joked that she would keep him "in check".
Couple's relationship
The pair first met back in 2001 when Vernon was presenting on T4. Speaking to Digital Spy about the early days of their relationship, Tess said: " It was all quite immediate, really, because we instantly had such a blast together. I couldn't imagine having more fun with anyone else. It was pretty explosive, I tell you."
The pair married after dating for just two years, with the pair marrying in a low-key ceremony held at St Mary's Church in Horwich, Vernon's hometown. The newlyweds their reception at nearby Rivington Hall Barn.
© WireImageThe couple welcomed their first daughter Phoebe in 2004. Five years later, Tess and Vernon became parents again with the arrival of their second daughter Amber.
Marking their 20th anniversary back in 2023, the couple shared never-before-seen images from their nuptials. "Cannot believe it's 20 years ago today! [heart emojis] always @vernonkay," Tess gushed in a social media post at the time.
Back in 2023, Tess confessed that she still got "butterflies" whenever she received a text notification from her husband. In a TikTok video, the presenter said: " We celebrate our 20-year anniversary in September, and we still sit down for dinner and have so much to talk about - we just have a real laugh."
"I see when his name comes up on his phone, I'm like 'yay'. We have a good laugh, he's always messing about, dancing and singing in the kitchen. Never a dull moment."
