Tess Daly and Vernon Kay were one of British television’s most familiar couples for more than two decades. They married in 2003, raised two daughters and built successful careers while keeping much of their family life relatively private.
That changed on 8 May 2026, when they announced that they had decided to separate after more than 22 years of marriage. Their statement described the decision as amicable and stressed that they remained friends and committed parents.
Ercan Ramadan | Profile Summary
| Detail | Tess Daly | Vernon Kay |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Helen Elizabeth Daly | Vernon Charles Kay |
| Age | 57 | 52 |
| Profession | TV presenter, former model | TV and radio presenter, former model |
| Nationality | British | British |
| Birthplace | Stockport, Greater Manchester | Bolton, Greater Manchester |
| Relationship status | Separated | Separated |
| Marriage | Vernon Kay, 2003–2026 separation | Tess Daly, 2003–2026 separation |
| Children | Phoebe and Amber | Phoebe and Amber |
| Years together | About 25 years | About 25 years |
| Known for | Strictly Come Dancing | BBC Radio 2, Family Fortunes, television presenting |
| Reported combined fortune | Around £6 million | Around £6 million |
| Social media | Instagram: @tessdaly | Instagram: @vernonkay |
| Major 2026 development | Announced separation after 22 years of marriage | Announced separation after 22 years of marriage |
Tess Daly and Vernon Kay Separated
Tess Daly, 57, and Vernon Kay, 52, announced their separation in matching statements on social media.
They said the decision followed careful consideration and came from a place of care, respect and mutual understanding. The couple also made clear that no other person was involved in their decision.
They asked for privacy as they adjusted to the change and said they would continue to support their daughters, Phoebe and Amber.
The announcement surprised many because the pair had remained publicly friendly and had even appeared together on television shortly before confirming their split.
What They Said About the Split
Their own statement remains the clearest explanation of what happened.
Tess and Vernon described the separation as a difficult choice but said they believed it was the right decision for both of them. They also said they planned to remain “great friends” and continue being loving and supportive parents.
The wording suggested that the split was mutual rather than the result of one dramatic event.
They did not publicly blame each other or provide a detailed list of reasons behind the breakup.
Why Did They Separate?
Neither Tess nor Vernon has given one specific reason for ending their marriage.
Reports published after the announcement suggested that changing lifestyles, different priorities and a new stage of family life may have played a part. However, those claims largely came from unnamed sources rather than direct comments from the couple.
Their lives had changed significantly in the period leading up to the split. Tess had stepped away from Strictly Come Dancing after more than 20 years connected to the show, while their daughters were becoming older and more independent.
That shift may have given both of them more space to reassess their personal lives.
How Tess and Vernon Met
Tess Daly and Vernon Kay met in 2001, when both were building careers in television.
They crossed paths through the entertainment industry and quickly developed a strong connection. Vernon later recalled that an early television project involving a recreation of Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time” video played a part in bringing them together.
Their relationship moved quickly.
Vernon proposed over Christmas in 2002, around a year after they began dating.
Their Wedding and Family
Tess and Vernon married on 12 September 2003 at St Mary’s Church in Horwich, near Bolton.
Their first daughter, Phoebe, was born in October 2004. Their second daughter, Amber, arrived in May 2009.
Family life remained a major part of their relationship for more than two decades. Both parents have spoken warmly about raising their daughters and encouraging them to develop their own interests.
By the time of the 2026 separation, Phoebe was 21 and Amber was 17.
The 2010 Texting Controversy
Their marriage faced a difficult public period in 2010.
Vernon admitted sending flirtatious and explicit messages to several women, including glamour model Rhian Sugden. He publicly apologised and said Tess had been deeply upset by what happened.
The couple stayed together and worked through the situation.
The story resurfaced again in 2016 when reports claimed Vernon had been back in contact with Sugden. Vernon said Tess knew about the communication and maintained that there had been no inappropriate intention.
Although the controversy is often mentioned alongside their 2026 separation, Tess and Vernon specifically stated that no other party was involved in their decision to split.
Their Vow Renewal
In 2013, Tess and Vernon renewed their wedding vows to mark their tenth anniversary.
The ceremony took place in the South of France and was arranged as a surprise by Vernon. Their daughters and parents were involved in the occasion.
The vow renewal became an important chapter in their relationship because it came several years after the texting controversy and showed that the couple had chosen to continue working on their marriage.
Signs Before the Split
There was no clear public indication that the marriage was about to end.
Tess and Vernon had appeared together less frequently on social media, but that alone did not prove that they were having relationship problems.
There were, however, major changes in their lives.
Tess had left Strictly Come Dancing, and both daughters were approaching adulthood. Tess had also spoken about finally having more time to explore opportunities she had previously put aside while raising her family.
Those comments reflected a changing phase of life rather than direct evidence of a planned separation.
Their Final TV Appearance
One of the most notable moments before the announcement came on 25 February 2026, when Tess and Vernon presented The One Show together.
It was a rare joint presenting appearance for the couple.
They appeared comfortable on screen, and Vernon even joked that Tess would keep him “in check.” Nothing during the programme suggested that they would announce the end of their marriage only a few months later.
The appearance gained more attention after news of the separation became public.
Life After the Separation
Vernon briefly addressed the breakup after returning to his BBC Radio 2 show.
Instead of discussing private details, he thanked listeners for the supportive messages sent to both him and Tess.
Their approach after the split has remained relatively calm and private. Both have continued working, while their public interactions suggest they are still on friendly terms.
That matches the tone of their original announcement.
Did Tess Regret the Split?
Several celebrity magazines later claimed that Tess was struggling emotionally and questioning whether ending the marriage had been the right decision.
Closer reported that she had been spending time with Vernon and reflecting on their years together.
Those reports were based on unnamed sources rather than direct comments from Tess.
The former couple have continued interacting warmly, including through social media and family occasions, but that does not necessarily mean their separation has been reversed.
Are They Back Together?
Tess and Vernon have continued spending time together as a family.
In September 2026, Tess shared photographs from a family holiday in France with Vernon, Phoebe and Amber.
The trip showed that they remained close as parents and were able to spend time together after separating.
There has been no clear announcement that they have resumed their marriage. Their May 2026 separation remains the latest confirmed status of their relationship.
Tess Daly and Vernon Kay Today
Tess Daly and Vernon Kay spent around 25 years together and more than 22 years as husband and wife.
Their relationship included successful television careers, two daughters, difficult periods and several major personal milestones.
Their 2026 separation marked a significant change, but they have continued to present themselves as friends and committed parents.
For now, the clearest summary is simple: Tess Daly and Vernon Kay separated in May 2026 after more than 22 years of marriage, while remaining closely connected through their family.
FAQs
When did Tess Daly and Vernon Kay separate?
Tess Daly and Vernon Kay announced their separation on 8 May 2026, after more than 22 years of marriage. They described the decision as amicable and said they would remain friends and supportive parents.
Why did Tess Daly and Vernon Kay split?
They have not given one specific reason for ending their marriage. Their joint statement said the decision followed careful consideration and mutual understanding, while also making clear that no other person was involved.
How long were Tess Daly and Vernon Kay married?
They married on 12 September 2003 and separated in May 2026, meaning they were married for more than 22 years. They had been together since 2001.
Do Tess Daly and Vernon Kay have children?
Yes. They have two daughters, Phoebe, born in October 2004, and Amber, born in May 2009. Both parents have said that supporting their daughters remains a priority.
Are Tess Daly and Vernon Kay back together?
They have remained friendly and continued spending time together as a family, but their separation remains their latest confirmed relationship status. Their original statement said they intended to stay friends and co-parent closely.
