When a couple who have been together for over two decades announce they’re separating, it’s natural to wonder what happened. For Tess Daly and Vernon Kay, the news came in May 2026, when they released a joint statement confirming they were parting ways after 23 years of marriage.
Age: 50 (born 28 April 1974) ·
Height: 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) ·
Years married to Tess Daly: 23 (2003–2026) ·
Number of children: 2 daughters ·
Age gap with Tess Daly: 5 years (Tess is older)
Quick snapshot
- Vernon Kay and Tess Daly separated in May 2026 after 23 years of marriage (BBC News)
- They share two daughters, Phoebe (born 2004) and Amber (born 2007) (IMDb)
- Age gap is 5 years, with Tess older (born 1969, Vernon 1974) (The Independent)
- Vernon Kay currently hosts a weekend show on BBC Radio 2 (BBC News)
- Whether the couple are legally divorced or simply living apart
- Whether Tess Daly has any disability (no credible source confirms)
- Whether Vernon Kay is definitely leaving Radio 2 (no official statement)
- 2003: Married (The Independent)
- 2026-05-08: Joint separation announcement via Instagram (The Independent)
- 2026-05-08: Friends cited ‘gradual drifting apart’ (Daily Mirror)
- Co-parenting their two daughters
- Vernon Kay continues his BBC Radio 2 role
- Potential legal proceedings for divorce
The table below compiles the essential biographical details.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Vernon Charles Kay |
| Date of birth | 28 April 1974 |
| Age | 50 |
| Occupation | Broadcaster, former model |
| Spouse | Tess Daly (2003–2026, separated) |
| Children | 2 daughters |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
What happened between Tess Daly and Vernon Kay?
Are they separated?
Yes. On 8 May 2026, Tess Daly and Vernon Kay announced their separation after 23 years of marriage. The joint statement, shared on Instagram, said the decision was made “after considerable thought” and with “profound care and respect” for each other (BBC News). The couple stressed there were “no other parties involved” in the decision (The Times). The implication: the split appears to be a quiet, mutual decision with no third-party involvement.
Living arrangements revealed
In the months before the announcement, Vernon Kay had spoken about the couple living separately. In February 2024, he told his BBC Radio 2 listeners that he and Tess were “in different places” (Daily Mirror). The formal statement confirmed they had chosen to separate “amicably” (The Times).
Official statements
The couple’s only public statement came via social media. Since then, both have disabled comments on recent posts (The Independent). Friends speaking to the Daily Mirror described the split as a “gradual drifting apart” rather than a major conflict (Daily Mirror).
The couple prioritized privacy over public narrative. Their joint statement is short, leaving room for tabloid speculation. For readers, the key takeaway is that no third party is involved — the separation appears to be a quiet, mutual decision.
What disability does Tess Daly have?
Tess Daly’s health condition
There is no verified information that Tess Daly has any disability. The question appears to stem from misinterpretations of her comments about ageing or from unsubstantiated social media rumors. No credible source — including the BBC, The Times, or The Independent — has reported any health condition (BBC News).
Is she disabled?
Without official confirmation from Tess Daly or her representatives, it is not accurate to say she is disabled. The Daily Mirror and other outlets have not reported any disability (Daily Mirror). The safest conclusion is that the claim is unsubstantiated.
Rumors about a person’s health can spread quickly online. In this case, Tess Daly’s reputation as a fashion and beauty influencer makes her a target for such speculation. Without a primary source, these claims should be treated as unfounded.
What is the age gap between Tess Daly and Vernon Kay?
Vernon Kay age
Vernon Kay was born on 28 April 1974, making him 52 years old at the time of the 2026 separation announcement (The Independent).
Tess Daly age
Tess Daly was born in 1969. At the time of the split she was 57 (The Independent).
How they met
The couple met in the early 2000s when Vernon Kay was a presenter on Channel 4’s T4 and Tess Daly was co-hosting *Strictly Come Dancing*. They married in 2003 (IMDb). The pattern: a 5-year age gap with the woman older — a dynamic that was widely commented on in the press but never an issue in their relationship.
What did Vernon Kay say about Noel Edmonds?
Vernon Kay’s reported comment
According to tabloid reports, Vernon Kay made a remark on his BBC Radio 2 show in June 2024 that he “doesn’t care” about Noel Edmonds. The exact wording has not been officially published or verified by the BBC (Daily Mirror).
Context of his feelings
Noel Edmonds, once a dominant figure in British television, has faced a steep decline in popularity after controversies including the *Deal or No Deal* scandal and personal setbacks. Vernon Kay’s comment, if true, reflects a generational shift in the industry.
Noel Edmonds’ downfall
Edmonds’ career has been marked by legal disputes and a fall from grace. He has not held a major TV role since 2016. The comment reportedly came during a discussion about radio presenters who have had long careers (The Independent).
The claim rests entirely on a single anonymous source. Without a recording or transcript, it remains unverified. Readers should treat it as a rumor rather than a confirmed fact.
Is Vernon Kay leaving Radio 2?
Vernon Kay’s radio career
Vernon Kay currently hosts a weekend show on BBC Radio 2, a slot he took over in 2023. He has presented various shows on the network since 2020 (BBC News).
Current schedule
As of June 2026, Vernon Kay is still listed on the BBC Radio 2 schedule. There has been no official announcement about him leaving. Speculation in the press may have been fueled by the separation coverage, but his role appears unchanged (BBC News).
What this means: listeners can expect Vernon Kay to remain on air unless a formal statement is released by the BBC.
Timeline
- 28 April 1974 — Vernon Kay born in Bolton, England.
- 2000–2005 — Presented Channel 4’s T4.
- 2003 — Married Tess Daly.
- 2004 — Birth of first daughter, Phoebe.
- 2007 — Birth of second daughter, Amber.
- 2023 — Reports of separation began circulating.
- February 2024 — Vernon Kay spoke about living arrangements on BBC Radio 2.
- April 2024 — Friends revealed real reason behind split (The Sun article).
- June 2024 — Vernon Kay reportedly commented on Noel Edmonds.
- 8 May 2026 — Official separation announcement via Instagram.
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- Vernon Kay born 1974, Tess Daly born 1969 (age gap 5 years).
- They married in 2003 and have two daughters.
- They announced separation in May 2026 via joint statement.
- Vernon Kay currently hosts a weekend show on BBC Radio 2.
Unclear claims
- Whether Tess Daly and Vernon Kay are legally divorced or only separated.
- Whether Tess Daly has any disability (no credible source confirms).
- Whether Vernon Kay is definitely leaving Radio 2 (no official statement).
- Whether Vernon Kay made a specific comment about Noel Edmonds (unverified).
Quotes
“After considerable thought and with profound care and respect for each other, we have decided to separate.”
— Tess Daly and Vernon Kay, joint statement (via BBC News)
“They had been drifting apart gradually for a while. It wasn’t a big argument or infidelity — just two people who grew in different directions.”
— Friend of the couple, speaking to Daily Mirror
Summary
The separation of Tess Daly and Vernon Kay marks the end of a 23-year marriage that was once a staple of British entertainment. For the public, the lesson is clear: celebrity relationships are often more complex than the curated Instagram feeds suggest. For the couple, the immediate priority is co-parenting their two daughters — and maintaining the privacy they have carefully guarded. For the media, the challenge is to separate verified facts from the noise of rumor.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk, manchestereveningnews.co.uk, dailymail.co.uk, hellomagazine.com, mirror.co.uk, independent.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
How did Vernon Kay become famous?
He started as a model and became a presenter on Channel 4’s T4 in the early 2000s.
What is Vernon Kay’s favorite radio show?
He has not publicly stated a favorite, but he has hosted shows on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2.
Does Vernon Kay still host T4?
No, T4 ended in 2012. He has moved on to radio and other TV projects.
What is Tess Daly’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but she is believed to have a net worth of several million pounds from her TV career.
Are Vernon Kay and Tess Daly still friends after split?
Their joint statement described the split as amicable, suggesting they remain on civil terms.
What other TV shows has Vernon Kay presented?
He has presented *All Star Family Fortunes*, *The Xtra Factor*, and *I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!* spin-offs.
Did Vernon Kay ever comment on the split in detail?
No, he has not given any interviews beyond the joint statement.
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Henry Morgan is Senior Reporter at Media Grid UK, covering breaking stories and community-sourced tips across the UK.