Tess Daly is arguably the golden girl of Saturday night television – and Sunday nights too.
As co-host of the BBC’s hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, Tess entertains huge audiences (frequently over 10 million) as she guides famous faces to the ballroom and gives them a shoulder to cry on when they get voted off.
But there is a lot more to the star who has barely taken any time off since starting work as a teenager – even when she gave birth to the two children (16-year-old Phoebe and 12-year-old Amber) she has with hubby Vernon Kay.
Who is Tess Daly's husband?
Tess married fellow TV presenter Vernon Kay in 2003 after meeting hosting T4 together.
Tess Daly and Vernon Kay
They might be ultimate #couplegoals these days, but Vernon and Tess's marriage hit a rocky patch in 2010 after his sexts to model Rhian Sugden were exposed.
In 2017, Tess referenced the incident, describing marriage as “a work in progress”. She added, “All marriages have their moments. Vernon and I are just people at the end of the day.” However, Vernon recently said the couple had “moved on”.
What is Tess's real name?
Tess was born in Stockport on 27 April 1969. She has a younger sister called Karen, and her dad, Vivian, worked in a wallpaper factory mixing dyes and her mum, Sylvia, worked in a paper mill. But her actual name is Helen Elizabeth Daly.
How old is Tess Daly?
Brace yourselves... Tess Daly is 52 years old.
We know, right? We've always been mindblown by her age-defying looks.
What else has Tess Daly done?
Vivian and Sylvia are also perhaps the reason Tess has a strong work ethic (even if she ignored their career advice).
"My mum and dad considered a good job either nursing or working at a bank because, then, a job at a bank was for life and you had an interest-free mortgage and a pension. My mum thought that was the perfect job and tried to persuade me," she said.
We're glad she didn't listen...
Tess was 'discovered' outside a McDonalds in Manchester a few weeks before she turned 18. She worked all over the world modelling for brands and on magazine covers.
Tess Daly Duran Duran music video
Tess makes a sultry cameo in the video for their 1990 song Violence of Summer (Love’s Taking Over) and has a rather starring role in the video for their follow up song Serious (set in a circus). Rock and roll!
Not content with perking up Duran Duran videos, Tess also featured in the Sweet Harmony music video for electro dance band The Beloved in 1993.
Tess Daly Big Breakfast
Tess moved to New York while still a model when a friend suggested she try interviewing. She grabbed a camera and rang up controversial British writer Quentin Crisp and asked if she could interview him. He said yes. They hit it off. And footage from the chat went into a show reel that Tess used to land presenting roles back in the UK.
Producers at Channel 4 were impressed when they saw Tess’s showreel and immediately snapped her up to host a spot on iconic early morning show The Big Breakfast for their Find Me A Model competition (she was an expert in modelling, after all). She then went on to host other shows including MTV dating show Singled Our, SMTV Live, Smash Hits TV, and Make Me A Supermodel.
Is Tess Daly on Strictly Come Dancing?
Tess joined presenting legend Sir Bruce Forsyth in 2004 when the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing show launched and has been the longest serving host ever since – appearing on all series and specials since. Brucie left the show in 2014, with Claudia Winkleman taking over from him. Tess took three weekends off in the second series to give birth to her first daughter.
Speaking of her relationship to Bruce before he passed away she said, "He wouldn’t want to think of himself as a father figure to me, more of a friend – he’s got five girls [and a son] of his own – but he was always a very supportive presence.
"I can still ask him about anything. He’s a special chap. Every time I see him, I tell him I love him and give him a hug," she added.
Awww.
Bruce sadly died later that year.
Tess Daly Children in Need
Tess landed another iconic hosting role in 2008 when she joined the late Sir Terry Wogan to host the annual Children in Need television show.
Most recently she hosted alongside Radio host Greg James as Children in Need aired for the first time following Terry’s sad death at the start of the year.
Tess Daly Family
Sadly Tess’s dad, Vivian, died in September 2003 – 18 days after Tess and Vernon got married.
While the star is glad her dad saw her walk up the aisle, she is sad he never got to meet Phoebe and Amber.
"It breaks my heart that he never knew his grandchildren because he would have adored them. I can just see him bouncing them on his lap, and it makes my breath catch in my throat," she said.
With her own kids, Tess prides herself on the fact she has never hired a nanny and thinks it is great to be as involved in her children’s lives as possible.
"I don’t want to hand over a role that I so thoroughly enjoy myself. I love those moments – the homework, the school run, when I get to chat to other mums. That’s real life," Tess says.
And don’t expect Tess and Vernon’s girls to be one of those typical spoiled kids of famous people types.
"We’ve always been aware of teaching them the value of things," Tess says.
"I try to explain that stuff doesn’t just arrive, and that when we go to work, it’s to pay for holidays and treats. I’d hate to have a spoilt brat – I’d think I hadn’t done my job properly. I want them to be appreciative," she adds.
Good parenting advice all round, really.
When Vernon went into the I'm a Celeb castle in 2020, Tess posted her daughters' faces on social media for the first time, but she's normally very strict about keeping them out of the public eye.
WATCH Danielle Lloyd's pregnancy announcement with Closer magazine: Behind The Scenes
Tess Daly dogs
Tess is ALWAYS instagramming her pet dogs.
She has a tiny chuawa called Blue and a Maltese Shitzu named Minnie and they are both pretty adorable.
'Minnie and Blue ready for breakfast!' she wrote on Instagram with a snap of the pair when Blue was a puppy.
So precious.
And it’s not just her own pooches that Tess love – she usually hangs out at and is involved with Crufts.
Joining up with ex-Strictly judge Alesha Dixon, the pair promote dog care at the annual dog show. And Tess has also campaigned to raise awareness about lung worm, an infection that can kill pooches.
CHECK OUT celebs who took back their cheating partners
CLOSER Celebrity who took back their cheating partners - slider
1 of 21Danny Dyer and Joanne Mas
Danny Dyer and Joanne Mas' relationship hit a rough patch in 2017 when it was reported that he had a six-week affair with Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding. However they managed to work through it and are back together.
2 of 21Gaz Beadle and Emma McVey
Emma McVey accused Gary Beadle of cheating on her after he brutally dumped her via text. However she later fell pregnant with their first child, they reunited and the happy couple are now engaged and parents of two.
3 of 21Jay Z and Beyoncé
The world was shocked in 2017 when Jay-Z admitted he cheated on his wife and the mother of his children Beyoncé. They've since moved on from the drama and have even released a joint album together.
4 of 21Coleen and Wayne Rooney
They're childhood sweethearts but in 2002 Coleen Rooney discovered Wayne had slept with a 48-year-old nan, there's also been allegations that he cheated with prostitutes Jennifer Thompson and Helen Wood and in 2017 Wayne was arrested for drunk driving and Laura Simpson claimed they kissed. Laura then backtracked during an interview on This Morning and denied that anything went down with Wayne. Despite all the rumours and allegations, Coleen has stuck by her husband and has even shared a brutally honest Facebook post about her marriage.
5 of 21Tess Daly and Vernon Kay
In 2010 it came to light thatVernon Kay had sent 'flirty' texts to Rhian Sugden behind Tess Daly's back. Fast forward to 2016 and he was caught texting the glamour model again. However the TV presenters are still together.
6 of 21Katie Price and Kieran Hayler
We were all shook in 2014 when Katie Price announced husband Kieran Hayler had been cheating on her with her best friend Jane Pountney for seven months. She managed to forgive him and move on but in 2017 she revealed he had been unfaithful again with their children's nanny and a few months later she called it quits after he reportedly cheated again with a 19-year-old co-op worker.
7 of 21Mary Berry and Paul Hunnings
Great British Bake Off legend Mary Berry admitted that she cheated on her current husband Paul Hunnings when they first started dating. However they put it behind them and are still together.
8 of 21Lucy Mecklenburgh and Mario Falcone
While filming for TOWIE Lucy Mecklenburgh admitted that she had been unfaithful with ex-boyfriend Mark Wright during a holiday in Ibiza. Mario Falcone ended their relationship but swiftly took her back and they went on to get engaged but in 2013 they called it quits and have both moved on.
9 of 21Katya and Neil Jones
After Katya Jones was spotted kissing her Strictly partner Seann Walsh, they were both quick to apologise for their actions. Seann's girlfriend dumped him but Neil forgave his wife. However in 2020 they announced they'd split with Neil insisting it was not because of the infamous kiss.
10 of 21Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson
It's one of the Kardashians biggest scandals - Tristan Thompson cheating on Khloe Kardashian days before she was due to give birth to True Thompson. They appeared to work through his betrayal but almost a year later he allegedly kissed Kardashian/Jenner's family friend Jordyn Woods. There's since been speculation that a reunion for Khloe and Tristan could be on the cards.
11 of 21Spencer Matthews and Louise Thompson
Spencer Matthews and Louise Thompson's relationship largely consisted of Spenny cheating while Louise cried her eyes out. She continued to take him back but eventually decided enough was enough and ended it for good.
12 of 21Balthazar Getty and Rosetta
In 2008, Balthazar Getty had an affair with Sienna Miller despite being married to his wife and the mother of his four children Rosetta. Balthazara and Rosetta separated but two years later they got their marriage back on track.
13 of 21Bill Clinton and Hilary Clinton
The Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky scandal is one of the most famous affairs EVER. However his wife Hilary appeared to take it in her stride because they're still married.
14 of 21Alex Mytton and Binky Felstead
Made in Chelsea's Alex Mytton cheated on Binky Felstead several times during their relationship but she kept on taking him back. However she finally ended it when she discovered he had an orgy with Spencer Matthews.
15 of 21Gaz Beadle and Charlotte Crosby
They were the Geordie Shore couple we were all rooting for but Gaz Beadle just couldn't keep it in his pants even when he was with Charlotte Crosby. The final straw for Char was when he slept with Jemma Lucy on Ex on the Beach and [she heartbreakingly suffered an ectopic pregnancy](https://closeronline.co.uk/family/news/ectopic-pregnancy-signs-symptoms-diagnosis/agnosis/).
16 of 21Abbey Clancy and Peter Crouch
Back in 2010 while Abbey Clancy was pregnant with her first child, there were reports that her partner Peter Crouch had an alleged affair with a teenage prostitute. They've since moved on from the reports and are still happily together.
17 of 21Millie Mackintosh and Hugo Taylor
Millie Mackintosh and Hugo Taylor both cheated on each other during their Made in Chelsea days. However they've since reunited, gotten married and in 2020 welcomed their daughter Sienna.
18 of 21Sam Thompson and Tiffany Watson
Sam Thompson and Tiffany Watson were both guilty of cheating and they both kept taking each other back. However they've finally called it quits - thank God.
19 of 21Pete Wicks and Megan McKenna
Megan McKenna forgave Pete Wicks for sexting his ex-girlfriend Jacqui Ryland however she later discovered (while filming TOWIE) that he had sent even more messages. She forgave him but couldn't forget and they later split for good.
20 of 21James Argent and Gemma Collins
In 2012 Gemma Collins accused James Argent of cheating but she seemed to forgive and forget and they've been on/off ever since.
21 of 21Malin Andersson and Tom Kemp
Love Island star Malin Andersson accused her boyfriend Tom Kemp of cheating on her during pregnancy. However they managed to get through it and got back together. They since split.
READ MORE
Vernon Kay speaks out on claims he's 'leading separate life' from wife Tess Daly
Tess Daly flying
Despite all those years of traveling the world as a model, Tess says she is terrified of flying.
"Since becoming a mother, and even more so since I’ve had my second child, I’m just not keen on flying anymore," she confessed in a 2013 interview.
Tess even went to see a specialist for help to fight her fear.
"I actually get terrified in the air now to the point where I’ve had to see a specialist to deal with my fear of flying. I’d say it’s at least 70 per cent better now since speaking to someone and trying to rationalise the fear," she said.
A stiff gin and tonic usually does the trick for us – and then ten more once the plane is in the air.