Tess Daly and Vernon Kay have separated after 23 years of marriage. The couple shared the news on their Instagram accounts on May 8. “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,” they stated. “We remain great friends and most importantly, fully committed to our roles as loving and supportive parents, which will always be our priority.”
Recent Career Shift for Tess Daly
The separation follows Daly’s departure from Strictly Come Dancing, where she served as host since 2004. Her co-host Claudia Winkleman also left the show six months ago, sparking discussions about potential replacements.
Reflections on Empty Nest Syndrome
In an October 2025 episode of Giovanna Fletcher’s Happy Mum Podcast, Daly, 57, opened up about impending life changes as her daughters prepare to leave home. Phoebe, 21, pursues modeling, while Amber, 17, studies at university.
“It’s going to be really weird,” Daly said. “I’m going to have way too much time on my hands. If you remove [my children] from the picture, it looks like a very different picture, and I can’t quite imagine it yet.”
She described the past two decades as centered on her children’s needs, blending anxiety with excitement for the future. “It could be gorgeous to just have the chance to do those things I’ve never had a chance to do,” Daly added. “As a mum, I’ve never been away on breaks with my girlfriends – not once in 20 years of being a mum, because [my daughters have] needed me more.”
Vernon Kay on Family Dynamics
Kay, 52, recently commented on evolving family roles. “Our relationship with [our daughters] is changing,” he noted. “We talk about encouraging them to leave the nest and be but we don’t really want them to.”
Since the announcement, neither has posted updates, and both have disabled comments on recent Instagram shares.
Marriage History and Past Challenges
Daly and Kay met in 2001 during the early stages of their TV careers and married in 2003. Their union endured a 2010 sexting scandal, where Kay acknowledged sending explicit messages to five women. He expressed regret, stating he had “let down” his family and that Daly was “extremely upset,” but they worked through the issues.
