Strictly is back on our screens – and it’s not just this year’s quick-footed celebs that are leaving fans wowed. As the live shows unfold, viewers have been left amazed over Tess Daly’s stunning looks.
Appearing alongside Claudia Winkleman, 52, to present the BBC show, fans were quick to gush about Tess, 55. Joking that she was ‘ageing backwards,’ one wrote, ‘Tess looks incredible’, while another agreed, ‘Tess looks like she has a new face’.
And insiders tell Closer that the presenter has been upping the ante when it comes to her beauty regime.
The source says, ‘Tess is feeling more confident in her own skin than she has done in years, and that’s all down to the work she puts into her appearance ahead of Strictly’s return, a combination of cosmetic procedures – although she’s confessed she’s never gone under the knife – a healthy diet and a rigorous exercise regime.’
They add, ‘Turning 55 earlier this year was her “scary age”, and knowing she’s heading fast towards 60 obviously creates some concern about being replaced with younger, hotter presenters with huge fan bases like Maya Jama. Plus, her confidence has been knocked over the last couple of years with comments about her appearance and calls for her to be replaced on Strictly. She’s feeling amazing right now. She’s so happy that her hard work has paid off, as viewers have recognised how youthful she looks.’
Tess – who has been presenting Strictly for 20 years – has spoken in the past about her ‘pragmatic’ attitude to ageing. She laughed, ‘I’ve got wrinkles galore. You know when you look down at your iPhone and the camera is open, and you go, “Oh my God!” I’m at that point – but what’s the alternative?’
And having worked as a model, Tess also shared that she’s grown a thick skin when it comes to being in the public eye. She revealed, ‘I was told so many times, “You should look this way”, then I was told, “You should put weight on”. That’s when I realised to take it with a pinch of salt.’
Now, Tess has a stripped-back beauty regime that keeps her skin in tip-top condition – all without resorting to seeing a surgeon. The blonde beauty previously revealed that she takes a ‘less is more’ approach in her 50s, saying, ‘I definitely wear less make-up, even on screen, than I did 20 years ago. As I’ve got older, I’ve found less is more.’
Tess is also a huge lover of Ultratherapy – a collagen-boosting non-surgical procedure that aims to tighten and lift skin. Opening up about the treatment – which starts at around £500 – she shared, ‘I believe in investing in my skin as I do in my general health, looking after what you have got. Over time, my skin felt more radiant, boosted and fresh.’
And now, our source says Tess spent the summer investing in her skin ahead of Strictly’s relaunch. They reveal, ‘Tess has her anti-aging treatments regularly, especially in the lead-up to the new series of Strictly, which includes laser facials, micro needling and Ultratherapy, as well as Botox and veneers.’
And Tess’ glowing looks aren’t only skin deep, with the star putting plenty of effort into diet and fitness too. The source reveals, ‘All of Tess’ treatments are in addition to going hardcore on her diet and exercise regime – loading up on all the foods proven to help reverse the ageing process like avocados, blueberries, nuts and spinach, as well as upping her yoga workouts to twice daily.’
In September, Tess and husband Vernon Kay, 50, marked 21 years of marriage – with Tess previously gushing, ‘We have a good laugh, he’s always messing about, dancing and singing in the kitchen. Never a dull moment.’
However, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for the couple – who share daughters Phoebe, 19, and Amber, 14. Despite 21 years together, the pair hit a blip back in 2010. The presenter was forced to apologise to Tess after it was revealed that he had been sending sexually explicit messages to glamour model Rhian Sugden, 38, saying he was ‘working through it’ with an ‘extremely upset’ Tess.
In 2020, Vernon insisted the pair were well past the scandal, saying, ‘All that stuff is in the past, we’ve forgotten about that, we’ve moved on.’
But the source tells Closer that Vernon’s sexting scandal still occasionally plays on Tess’ mind. They reveal, ‘Tess has admitted that part of her insecurities are deep-rooted in the pain of what happened. But saying that, she knows how much he adores her. They’re stronger than ever at the moment.’