Tess Daly reportedly harboured desires for a 'selfish' period of travel before her amicable separation from Vernon Kay, according to sources close to the couple. The former Strictly Come Dancing host, 57, and her husband, Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay, 52, announced on Friday that they had decided to part ways after nearly 23 years of marriage.
A Desire for Adventure
Just a day before the public announcement, an insider claimed that Tess, who has two daughters, Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16, with Vernon, was keen to 'go away for a whole year' and embrace the newfound freedom following her departure from the BBC dance competition alongside Claudia Winkleman.
The source told Closer magazine: 'Tess always put Vernon and the girls first and now she wants to be a bit selfish and make the most of their situation and her new-found freedom.' They added that Tess had been working since her teenage years and felt she had missed out on extensive travel, despite acknowledging her fortunate circumstances.
Vernon's Commitments
Vernon, who hosts a daily show on Radio 2, was reportedly unable to commit to a full year of travel but was open to shorter trips. The source said: 'Vernon says they couldn’t really do a whole year as he has his Radio 2 show, but he likes the idea of jetting off for weeks at a time, then coming home.'
An Amicable Split
Despite the separation, the couple are said to remain on good terms. A source close to them told The Mirror: 'Vernon and Tess have been talking about it for a while, but no one has moved out yet. It is all very amicable. They are both in a really good place about the decision, and given they are splitting up, it is remarkably friendly at the moment. The truth is they've just grown apart.'
Tess and Vernon, who met in 2001 while working in television and married two years later, confirmed the news themselves via a joint statement on Instagram. The post read: 'After much consideration, and with a deep sense of care and respect for one another, we have made the decision to separate amicably. 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. 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. We will not be making any further public comments. Tess and Vernon.'
