"We remain great friends": Tess Daly and Vernon Kay Announce Split After 23 Years
British TV favourites Tess Daly and Vernon Kay have revealed their shock separation, bringing an end to their 23-year marriage. What led to this big change, and what does it mean for their family and glittering careers?
The seemingly unshakeable partnership between Tess Daly and Vernon Kay has come to a close, after the pair made the decision to split amicably. Their journey, which began in 2001 and led to marriage in 2003, has captivated fans for decades. Now, after over two decades together and raising two children, the couple's latest announcement has left fans stunned but wishing them well as they step into a new chapter of their lives.
From Fairytale Beginnings to "Roommates"
Tess Daly, 57, and Vernon Kay, 52, aren’t just familiar faces on our screens—they’ve also been one of the UK’s most celebrated couples since their whirlwind romance and wedding. Their love story took off with a TV show meeting, as Vernon reminisced:
"She didn’t know anyone except me because we’d worked together that day – she spotted me in a crowd and we had a laugh. I was instantly attracted by how independent Tess was, and that’s not changed at all."
After years as Britain’s golden couple—including their time co-hosting and supporting each other's careers—they privately agreed things had changed. Close friends revealed that, over time, Tess and Vernon had "grown apart" and become more "like roommates". Sources have also described "tearful heart-to-hearts" leading up to their recent decision. After a family getaway to the Caribbean in April 2026, the couple returned home, ready to face their next steps together, albeit in a different way than before.
An Amicable Split: Family and the Future
The news went public on 7 May 2026, with the pair issuing a joint statement:
“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 of 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.”
The announcement came just a year after Tess stepped back from her iconic role as Strictly Come Dancing host. The two presented The One Show together as recently as February 2026, suggesting unity despite any private struggles. The couple share two daughters: Phoebe, 21, who currently studies at university in New York, and Amber, aged 16. Close sources reveal Tess and Vernon’s top priority is to remain hands-on, supportive parents.
“We just enjoy each other’s company and that’s what it boils down to, really. I’m proud of us,” Tess had told the press on their twentieth anniversary in 2023.
For now, they’ll continue co-parenting from the family’s six-bedroom home in Buckinghamshire while considering their next moves. Vernon, whose mid-morning BBC Radio 2 show keeps him busy in London five days a week, is weighing up the idea of a flat in the city for the short-term.
Community Reaction: Support and a Focus on Family
The response across social media and in the press—particularly in The Sun—has mingled shock with sympathy. Long-time fans, remembering their numerous joint TV ventures and public but warm dynamic, have expressed sadness while admiring their commitment to doing what’s right for their daughters. Friends quoted by the press said the separation had not come after a single dramatic event, but out of “mutual understanding” and evolving lifestyles. As Vernon reflected post-pandemic:
“You really get under the skin of your relationship with your kids and your missus.”
The community focus remains on the future wellbeing of Phoebe and Amber as their parents embark on this new chapter as friends and co-parents.
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Inside Tess Daly and Vernon Kay’s shock split as pals reveal all about ‘tearful heart-to-hearts’ – and future of mansion
