Tess Daly Returns to Television on The One Show After Strictly Come Dancing Exit
Television presenter Tess Daly has made her highly anticipated return to the screen, appearing on BBC's The One Show for the first time since her departure from Strictly Come Dancing last year. The 56-year-old, who left the popular dance competition after an impressive 21-year tenure, teamed up with her husband Vernon Kay for this special hosting stint, marking their first on-screen collaboration in nearly two decades.
A Nostalgic Reunion on The One Show
Daly and Kay, aged 56 and 51 respectively, made their debut as co-hosts on The One Show on Wednesday, 25 February 2026. The programme had previously announced the event on social media platform X, generating significant excitement among viewers. The announcement highlighted that the couple would be joined by guests including actress Jessie Buckley, filmmaker Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Bridgerton stars Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha.
The pair stepped in for regular hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp, who were occupied filming the finale of the BBC children's writing competition, 500 Words, at Windsor Castle. During the broadcast, Kay introduced his wife to the audience, stating, "But don't worry because look who we have here, someone I know will definitely keep me in check... TV royalty Tess Daly." Daly responded with enthusiasm, saying, "Wow, I'm thrilled to be here, such a special show."
From Early Careers to Lasting Partnership
Tess Daly and Vernon Kay first crossed paths in 2001, when both were at the beginning of their presenting careers. Kay was hosting Channel 4's T4, while Daly worked on the rival programme SMTV. Their professional connection blossomed into romance after they collaborated on a Britney Spears music video recreation for Top of the Pops@play. The couple married in 2003 and have since welcomed two daughters: Phoebe, born in 2004, and Amber, born in 2009.
Following her time on SMTV, Daly joined comedian Bruce Forsyth as co-host of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004. She remained with the show for 21 years, becoming a beloved fixture of British television. Her departure last year marked the end of an era, as she left alongside co-presenter Claudia Winkleman, who had taken over from Forsyth in 2014.
Farewell to Strictly Come Dancing
In a joint statement released with Claudia Winkleman, Daly expressed her gratitude and reflected on their time with Strictly Come Dancing. She said, "We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time. We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show. They’re the most brilliant team and we’ll miss them every day."
While their final live broadcast was the 2026 Strictly final, which crowned Karen Carney as champion, their official tenure concluded with the pre-recorded Christmas special aired in December. Daly's return to television on The One Show just two months after her exit from Strictly demonstrates her enduring appeal and versatility as a presenter, delighting fans with this nostalgic reunion alongside her husband Vernon Kay.
