Tess Daly was seen enjoying the sunshine with her lookalike daughter Phoebe just one day before announcing her split from husband Vernon Kay. The Strictly Come Dancing host, 57, shared a carousel of images on Instagram, capturing their catch-up in the park, complete with ice cream and relaxation.
Quality Time Before the Announcement
Phoebe, 21, who moved to New York earlier this year, returned home for a brief visit. Tess captioned the post: “Got my Phoebe back for a few days and making the most of every moment.” The outing came hours before Tess and Vernon issued a joint statement confirming their separation after 22 years of marriage.
A Joint Statement of Mutual Respect
“After much consideration, and with a deep sense of care and respect for one another, we have made the decision to separate amicably,” they wrote. “We remain great friends and more importantly, fully committed to our roles as loving and supportive parents. There are no other parties involved. We kindly ask for privacy.”
The couple, who also share daughter Amber, 17, started dating in 2001 after meeting at a Christmas party. Vernon proposed on Christmas Day 2002, and they married in 2003.
Fatherhood Reflections
Earlier this year, Vernon spoke about their children leaving the nest, telling The Times: “Now that Phoebe is 21 and Amber is nearly 17, our relationship with them is changing. We talk about encouraging them to be independent, but we don't really want them to.”
The family remains close despite the separation, with both parents prioritising their children’s wellbeing.
