Tess Daly and Vernon Kay have announced they have split, after 25 years of marriage.
The couple met at a BBC Christmas party while working as TV presenters for rival channels in 2001, before getting married in September 2003.
The share two daughters Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16.
Tess Daly/Vernon Kay/ Instagram
The statement, posted on Instagram, 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.”
Vernon Kay and Tess Daly (Ian West/PA)
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There were, however, a few signs that the couple’s relationship had been on the rocks – we look into them now.
Posting with children separately
From following social media clues, it appears that the pair have been living fairly separate lives for at least a few months.
Pictures show them spending time with their two daughters solo, rather than as a family unit.
This past week, Kay shared a picture of himself with eldest daughter Phoebe enjoying drinks.
The caption read: “Ahhhhh Summer nights in London on the @thechanceryrosewood rooftop with @phoebeekay The best view on a clear blue evening sky….“
Meanwhile, Daly seemed to also get some alone time with Phoebe, posting a picture of the two of them posing on a bridge.
She captioned it: “Got my Phoebe back for a few days and making the most of every moment.”
It’s been a while since either of the pair posted a picture of them together on social media.
The last time they appeared together online was ten weeks ago – but even that was an image from when they hosted The One Show together in February, with guests Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jessie Buckley, Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha standing between the couple.
Kay hasn’t posted a picture of Daly on his page in months, since a trip to New York in February where they visited their daughter.
Daly also recently made a cryptic social media post about “finding peace” – which was liked by her friend and former Strictly co-presenter Claudia Winkleman.
Daly’s recent interview with Hello! Magazine, during which she spoke about many aspects of her life, saw no mention of her husband.
She did manage to mention her swimwear brand, as well as being awarded an MBE by King Charles in November.
The presenter said: “I’m also hoping for the chance to have a bit of a girls’ trip away with my friends – that’s been a long time coming.”
Tess Daly
PA
Meanwhile, Kay recently referenced the couple’s “changing family” relationship in an interview with The Times.
He said: “Now that Phoebe is 21 and Amber is nearly 17, our relationship with them is changing.
“We talk about encouraging them to leave the nest and be independent but we don’t really want them to’”.
Daly’s desire to travel
With Daly’s schedule freeing up after leaving her role on Strictly Come Dancing, sources have claimed that she wants to enjoy a year of travelling – something that wouldn’t go well with Kay’s radio schedule.
A source told Closer that she was “desperate to see the world”, adding: “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.
Vernon Kay
PA
“She has been working since her teens and never really got to do all the travelling. She feels she’s missed out even though she knows how lucky she is.
‘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”.