Tess Daly, the 57-year-old former Strictly Come Dancing host, has been secretly planning a personal and professional reinvention long before the public announcement of her split from husband Vernon Kay, according to sources close to the couple. The TV star, who ended her 21-year tenure on the BBC show last year, is now embracing a 'sillier' side, frequently appearing in her daughter's TikTok videos.
Separation Announcement
On Friday night, Tess and Vernon, 52, issued a joint statement confirming their separation after nearly 23 years of marriage. The couple, who wed in September 2003 and have daughters Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16, said they have 'drifted apart' but remain committed to co-parenting. The statement read: 'After much consideration, we have made the decision to separate amicably. There are no other parties involved.'
Reinvention Began Before Strictly Exit
Insiders reveal that Tess's plans to change her life started before she left Strictly Come Dancing alongside Claudia Winkleman at the end of last year. In recent months, she has filtered Vernon from her Instagram, sharing instead girls' holidays and promotions for her swimwear line. Just two weeks before the split, they holidayed together, but Tess kept him off social media.
The mother-of-two has also been showcasing her fun side on TikTok. A day before the breakup news, Phoebe posted a video of Tess twirling for the camera with the caption: 'Mum's TikTok era pending?'
No Bad Blood
A source told The Sun: 'This wasn't a knee-jerk reaction. They have been working on their marriage behind the scenes but realised it's not meant to be. They'll always have love for each other but would rather end things as friends than grow to resent each other.'
The couple met in 2001 while working on Top of the Pops@Play. They survived a 2010 scandal when Vernon was caught messaging Page 3 model Rhian Sugden, but have now decided to part ways amicably.
