Tess Daly and Vernon Kay have confirmed their separation after more than two decades of marriage. The former Strictly Come Dancing presenter and the BBC Radio 2 host announced their split in a joint statement shared on Instagram on May 8, 2026 .
The couple, who married in September 2003, said their decision was made “after much consideration” and came from a place of “mutual understanding and a shared desire for what is best for both of us” . They emphasised that the separation is amicable and that no other parties are involved in the decision . The pair also stressed they remain close friends and are fully committed to co‑parenting their two daughters, Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16 .
The Official Statement That Confirmed the Split
The announcement was posted on both Daly and Kay’s Instagram accounts on the evening of May 8, 2026 . In their statement, the couple wrote: “After much consideration, and with a deep sense of care and respect for one another, we have made the decision to separate amicably” . They acknowledged that the choice “has not been an easy choice” but came from a place of mutual understanding .
The couple made it clear that their priority remains their roles as loving and supportive parents to their daughters . They also explicitly stated that “there are no other parties involved in this decision” . The statement concluded with a request for privacy as they navigate the transition, adding that they would not be making any further public comments .
How the Couple Met and Built Their Life Together
Tess Daly and Vernon Kay first met in 2001 while presenting Top of the Pops@Play . Both were former models from the North West of England who had carved out successful careers as television presenters . Daly, now 57, worked on ITV’s SMTV, while Kay, now 52, hosted Channel 4’s T4 . The sparks were immediate, with Daly later describing their connection as “pretty explosive” .
Kay proposed on Christmas Day in 2002, and the couple married on September 12, 2003, at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Horwich, near Kay’s hometown of Bolton . Despite their celebrity status, they turned down lucrative six-figure deals with glossy magazines for exclusive wedding photographs, instead posing for fans’ photographs outside the church . The newlyweds were later photographed at the Reebok Stadium enjoying a football match between Bolton Wanderers and Middlesbrough .
The couple welcomed their first daughter, Phoebe Elizabeth, in October 2004, followed by Amber Isabella in May 2009 . The family established their main residence in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, a property they purchased in 2018 for £1.18 million .
The Reported Reasons Behind the Separation
Sources close to the couple have indicated that the split was not triggered by a dramatic fallout but rather a gradual growing apart over time . The pair reportedly developed different lifestyles and interests in recent years . Kay enjoys socialising, attending gigs, football matches, and 90s disco nights, while Daly prefers quieter pursuits and “girls weekends” .
Friends have described the couple as having “aged differently,” with Daly reportedly ready for a slower pace of life while Kay remains more energetic and outgoing . The daughters, Phoebe and Amber, were said to have been “completely involved” in the conversations leading to the decision . The shift in their dynamic also coincided with career changes. Daly stepped down from Strictly Come Dancing in December 2025, after more than two decades as co-host alongside Claudia Winkleman . **Kay continues his early-morning schedule on BBC Radio 2, where he has hosted the weekday morning show since 2023, making it the most listened-to programme on UK radio .Quick Bio: Tess Daly and Vernon Kay
Below is a quick-reference bio table for both Tess Daly and Vernon Kay, featuring verified information from authoritative sources.
Tess Daly
Vernon Kay
Notes:
Tess’s professional name “Tess” was adopted during her modelling career, as her agency already represented a model named Helen Daly .
Tess and Vernon announced their separation on 8 May 2026 after 22 years of marriage .
Financial Arrangements and the “Quickie Divorce” Plan
Despite their separation, Daly and Kay are reportedly planning what sources have called “showbiz’s friendliest divorce” . The couple are said to be pursuing a “quickie divorce” using online solicitors to keep proceedings civil and legal costs to a minimum . A source told the Mirror: “Tess doesn’t want to spend thousands on solicitors for a divorce. A friend suggested they look at getting a quickie divorce online. They don’t see there’s anything to fight over and know they’ll agree on everything fairly” .
The former couple’s combined fortune is estimated at £6 million . Their main family home in Beaconsfield is valued at £3 million, and Kay also owns a £370,000 property in his hometown of Bolton . The pair maintain joint control of their production company, 21TV Limited, which holds approximately £740,000 in assets . Kay earns around £395,000 for his BBC Radio 2 programme, while Daly received a reported £400,000 annually from Strictly Come Dancing, supplemented by brand endorsements and her involvement with swimwear label NAIA Beach, which has an estimated annual turnover of £500,000 .
Legal experts have noted that the couple’s similar high incomes will likely reduce acrimony in the division of assets . Divorce lawyer David Lister told the Mirror: “Cases like this are good to deal with because there is no imbalance and there is no real ability to hide assets because the paperwork should be readily available due to them having agents and their employer being the BBC” .
The Couple’s Amicable Relationship After the Split
Since announcing their separation, Daly and Kay have demonstrated a remarkably friendly relationship. Weeks after the announcement, they attended the food festival Pub In The Park together . Daly has continued to wear her wedding ring, while Kay still refers to himself as the “other half of Tess Daly” in his social media biography . The pair were also reported to have marked the end of their marriage with a glass of champagne before sending their joint statement to the press . A source added: “They’re still living under the same roof and have effectively re-coupled as friends. They won’t be fighting over assets and will always stay close” .
In a further sign of their continued support for one another, Kay recently left a supportive comment on Daly’s social media post promoting her swimwear brand, underlining the friendly nature of their split . In August 2026, Daly announced she is working with her daughter Phoebe on a new project, suggesting she is embracing new chapters both professionally and personally .
The 2010 Sexting Scandal and Its Relevance
The couple’s marriage faced a significant challenge in 2010 when Kay admitted to sending explicit text messages to around five women, including Page 3 model Rhian Sugden . Kay made a public apology on his Radio 1 show, telling his two million listeners that he had been “foolish and stupid” . At the time, reports suggested Daly was “shattered” and that “the trust is gone,” with friends saying she was devastated by the revelations .
However, Daly later said their partnership was “worth fighting for” because they had had “10 great years together” and shared “two beautiful kids” . She told The One Show that dealing with the situation in private was difficult enough, but dealing with it in public was even harder . The scandal resurfaced in 2015 when it was revealed Kay had reconnected with Sugden via WhatsApp messages, though Kay insisted his wife was aware of all contact and that there was no inappropriate intent . Despite the past difficulties, the couple explicitly stated in their 2026 separation announcement that no other parties were involved in their decision to split .
What the Future Holds for Tess Daly and Vernon Kay
Both Daly and Kay are focused on their individual careers and their daughters’ futures. Daly was awarded an MBE in November 2025 for services to broadcasting, capping a career that included more than 20 years as the face of Strictly Come Dancing . She continues to develop her swimwear brand, NAIA Beach, which she co-founded with friend Gayle Lawton in 2021 . Kay remains a prominent figure on BBC Radio 2 and is expected to continue his weekday morning show .
The couple’s approach to their separation has been widely praised as one of the most dignified celebrity splits in recent memory. Their decision to remain friends, co-parent effectively, and divide their assets fairly has been described by insiders as “keeping it classy” . As one source put it: “They’re mates and want their friendship to stay intact. There’s no point dragging things out and racking up huge legal fees. They only want the best for each other and their family” .1. Why did Tess Daly and Vernon Kay separate?
Friends of the couple have revealed that the split was not triggered by a dramatic event but by a gradual drifting apart over time. The pair, who have a five-year age gap, reportedly developed different lifestyles and interests as they aged. Vernon is said to enjoy socialising, attending gigs (including seeing Oasis five times without Tess), and watching football, while Tess prefers quieter pursuits and “girls weekends”. A friend described them as “totally different people now” who have “aged differently”.
2. Did the 2010 sexting scandal contribute to the split?
The couple explicitly stated in their May 2026 announcement that “there are no other parties involved in this decision”. While Vernon’s 2010 sexting scandal with model Rhian Sugden was a public challenge for their marriage, they moved past it and remained together for another 15 years. Sources have confirmed the 2026 separation resulted from a slow emotional shift rather than any third-party involvement.
3. How have Tess and Vernon handled the split publicly?
The couple have managed their separation with notable dignity and amicability. They issued a joint statement on Instagram confirming their split and requesting privacy. Reports indicate they remain on good terms, still living under the same roof initially, and even toasted their split with champagne. They have continued to attend events together and publicly support each other’s work, underlining their commitment to remaining friends.
4. What divorce arrangements are they making?
Tess is reportedly keen to pursue a “quickie divorce” to keep the process civil and minimise legal costs. A source told Closer magazine that Tess has told Vernon she “wants a quickie divorce to make sure that the drama of the process doesn’t get nasty”. The couple are said to agree on dividing their estimated £6 million assets fairly, with no acrimony expected.
5. Are they still committed to co-parenting their daughters?
Yes. Daly and Kay emphasised in their statement that they remain “fully committed to our roles as loving and supportive parents, which will always be our priority”. Their daughters, Phoebe (21) and Amber (16), were reportedly “completely involved” in the conversations leading to the separation. The pair have been seen spending time together as a family since the announcement, including attending their daughter’s birthday celebrations.
