Tess Daly is still wearing her wedding ring despite publicly announcing her split from Vernon Kay last month, and an insider has revealed the couple made a pact to keep their rings on until the divorce is finalized.
The TV presenter, 57, was spotted flashing her large solitaire diamond engagement ring and platinum band during a girls' trip to New York with her daughter Phoebe, 21, last week. In an Instagram snap outside the NBC building, fans immediately noticed the rings still on her wedding finger.
Exclusive Reason Behind the Rings
An insider exclusively told The Mirror: “Both Tess and Vernon are happy to have ended things, she’s not holding on to any hope that they’ll reconcile – they’re both at peace with their decision to split. However, that doesn’t mean they want to make a big show and dance about it. Tess knows the minute she removes that ring, it’s going to be a big story, and she’s not ready for that yet. So far, she and Vernon have kept things amicable and friendly, the last thing either of them want is a ‘big public split’. They want everything to remain as low key as possible.”
The source added that the couple have a pact to stay outwardly single at least until the divorce is finalised, in order to keep things hassle-free. “There is a pact between them that the rings stay on and that no one else will publicly come into the picture until they are divorced. Tess expects Vernon to honour that, as a way to keep their family safe from prying eyes and gossip.”
Protecting Their Daughters
A large part of the reasoning is to protect their daughters, Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 17. Both Tess and Vernon have stayed adamant that throughout the split, the girls would remain their number one focus. In the joint statement they released, they said they were “fully committed” to their roles as “loving and supportive parents”.
“Tess doesn’t want to upset the girls or their family by making a big performative show of taking off the ring,” the source explained. “The divorce hasn’t come through yet, so in her mind there’s no rush. It’s not necessarily conventional, many women whip that ring off the minute they split, but Tess isn’t in that headspace. She knows it’s still a symbol of unity and she’s holding on to that because she’s trying to show her girls that they’re all still a family, no matter what.”
Emotional Weight of the Ring
Relationship coach Lorin Krenn explains there are many reasons why people choose not to take off their wedding rings until their divorce is finalised. “There is a huge difference between privately removing your wedding ring and taking it off in a public manner,” he says. “Taking it off privately is an act between you and yourself. It’s quiet, internal, it’s you dealing with your grief. Taking it off publicly, at a family event, on social media, in front of friends or the public, carries social signalling. You are announcing something.”
He adds, “The ring is a symbol, and symbols carry enormous emotional weight. Your wedding ring is not just a piece of jewellery on your finger. It connects you to an emotional experience, and that emotional experience holds all the memories associated with your relationship. People entirely underestimate how much emotional value objects carry – it is certainly much higher than they think.”
Split Announcement
After 23 years of marriage, the pair explained the decision to split was “what is best for both of us” in a joint statement released on social media in May. “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 said. “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. We kindly ask for privacy during this time as we navigate this transition together.”
According to pals, the pair even celebrated the announcement with a bottle of Champagne. It remains to be seen if they’ll be popping corks when they take off their rings.
