Vernon Kay struggled to contain his emotions live on BBC Radio 2 as he paid a heartfelt tribute to his wife, Tess Daly, ahead of her final ever appearance as host of Strictly Come Dancing this weekend.
An End of an Era for a National Favourite
The 56-year-old presenter is set to bow out of the BBC's flagship entertainment show on Saturday alongside her co-host Claudia Winkleman. This concludes a remarkable tenure spanning 21 years and 216 days on air, a journey that began with the very first episode in 2004. Tess originally presented alongside the legendary Sir Bruce Forsyth until his retirement in 2013, after which Claudia Winkleman joined her.
Speaking on his radio show, a visibly moved Vernon Kay, 51, reflected on his wife's incredible run. "It's Tess' last Strictly on Saturday and I can't say too much because I'm going to get really emotional, but it's been an amazing 21 years," he said. He admitted he would find it "virtually impossible" to hide his tears while watching from the audience.
A Family Affair and a National Institution
Kay emphasised how the show has been woven into the fabric of their family life. "It's been the favourite show of the nation for so long since it started and it's seen our two kids arrive through the show as well," he shared. He noted that their daughter Phoebe was "in the belly during the first series" and is now 21, and will be in the audience for the final broadcast.
Praising the entire production, he stated: "Strictly Come Dancing, it's not just Tess, it's not just Claudia... it's the whole team." He described the programme as "the BBC's most successful entertainment show, some might say quite possibly of all time." Kay concluded his tribute by directly addressing his wife: "You deserve everything that's coming your way - the celebrations, the tears of joy, the hugs... because 21 years in entertainment is no mean feat."
Judges' Surprise Tribute Leaves Presenters Choked Up
The emotional farewells began during Sunday's results show, where Tess and Claudia were surprised with a moving video montage from the judging panel. Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke gathered the presenters to honour their time on the series.
Craig Revel Horwood told them, "We just want to tell you how much we're going to miss you and how much we love you to bits," adding personal thanks for shared pizza parties and borrowed dresses. The compilation featured classic moments from their two-decade stint, including clips of Tess with the late Bruce Forsyth from 2004.
Shirley Ballas declared the duo "magic," while Anton and Craig humorously noted their lasting lack of dance skills. Watching the tribute, both Tess and Claudia became choked up. Claudia responded, "We love you, we're so lucky. It's been an honour!" Tess added, "You guys are like family to us... We've had the most amazing time."
The pair announced their joint decision to step down in October, making the current series their last. Saturday's final will mark the end of a defining chapter in British television history, with the search for their successors now a major topic for the BBC.
