Tess Daly and Vernon Kay reunited to celebrate their daughter Phoebe's 22nd birthday, but body language expert Inbaal Honigman says the former couple may be "doing their best to spend as little time together as possible."
The duo, who confirmed their separation in May, hosted a lavish party at the five-star BoTree Hotel in London. In a joint post, they appeared in good spirits, smiling in several snaps and videos shared this week.
Signs of Avoidance
Speaking with OLBG, Inbaal explained, "On the surface, Tess and Vernon are both smiling brightly. They're happy to celebrate the occasion, but a few signs suggest that the former couple are doing their best to spend as little time together as possible."
"While Tess is mostly seen with her handbag in front of her, forming a protective barrier, Vern goes a step further and uses the DJ decks as a shield. Each of them is feeling a bit exposed, so they've each got their prop to hide behind."
Inbaal noted that most photos from the event feature either Tess with Phoebe or Vernon with Phoebe, with barely any of the former couple together, suggesting they did not spend time by each other's sides.
The Official Photo
Inbaal pointed to one "official" photo as revealing the depth of the abyss between them. Tess's main Instagram photo from the event features all three. Phoebe stands between her parents, leaning her head towards her mother, while Tess's arm circles Phoebe's shoulders. Vernon hugs Phoebe with a straight back and raised head, showing pride.
However, Inbaal noted a small detail: "Vern, standing close to the ladies, is holding his chest back, trying not to touch Tess's fingers at all. His hand in his pocket adds to this defensive pose."
Awkward Stage of Split
Inbaal concluded, "Tess and Vern may still be at an awkward stage of their split, when they're still reluctant to make any sort of physical contact, trying not to cross any lines or make the other one uncomfortable. They can attend the same parties, but not as friends yet."
