In the midst of her breakup with Vernon Kay, Tess Daly chose to spend her evening on social media expressing her gratitude for her well-known pals instead of attending the Bafta TV Awards.
Following her and Kay’s announcement on Friday that they were divorcing after 23 years of marriage, the 57-year-old former Strictly Come Dancing star was conspicuously absent from the event at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
Ms. Daly chose not to attend the awards, but she did express her happiness for her long-time friend Claudia Winkleman following The Celebrity Traitors’ victory in the Reality category.
With the message, “Thank you thank you @BAFTA we are SO happy ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️,” Ms. Winkleman posted a photo of the victory on Instagram.
Additionally, Ms. Daly wrote, “The very best. Love you,” in response to her friend’s message.
The couple said on Friday that although they had struggled with the choice to part ways, they were committed to continuing to be loving parents to their daughters, Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16.
After missing the BAFTA TV Awards after her breakup with Vernon Kay, Tess Daly used Instagram to express her gratitude for her well-known friends.
While her former co-host Claudia Winkleman won the Reality category for Celebrity Traitors, the Strictly Come Dancing star was conspicuously absent from the awards.
They began dating in 2001, and on Christmas Day of the following year, Kay proposed.
The following September, the couple married in Horwich, which is close to Kay’s Lancashire upbringing.
The Daily Mail’s Katie Hind was informed by a source that the pair had separate lifestyles prior to their breakup.
See Katie’s complete piece here, in which the couple’s pals disclosed what actually transpired behind closed doors.
Although acquaintances of the couple claimed they were still at their married residence in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, the couple announced in a joint statement on Friday that they had decided to part ways.
The pair wrote: “We have decided to separate amicably after much consideration, and with a deep sense of care and respect for one another. 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 are still close friends and, above all, devoted to our responsibilities as devoted and caring parents, which will always come first.This decision is made without the participation of any other parties. We respectfully request your privacy at this time.
The former Strictly co-host expressed her happiness for her friend after Ms. Winkleman shared a photo of herself celebrating her victory on Instagram, writing, “We will not be making any further public comments.”
When they hosted an episode of The One Show in February of this year, Kay and Ms. Daly—who are estimated to be worth approximately £10 million—were last spotted together in public. Additionally, they represent Marks & Spencer as food ambassadors.
The announcement shocked their friends, who had met while hosting the spin-off Top Of The Pops@Play together in 2001.
“When Vernon told me, I was stunned; nobody saw it coming,” one person remarked. It will take some getting accustomed to.
Although onlookers might have been surprised, insiders claim they took a “significant” amount of time to make the decision.
According to a friend, “Tess and Vernon are actually really, really happy now.” Their two daughters, Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16, were “completely involved” in the discussions. For the time being, they continue to live together, but that will undoubtedly change soon. The decision was heavily influenced by the girls.
“They are not the same people they were when they first met; they have grown apart.” They thought that splitting up would make their lives better after realising this. They are both in their fifties, have a lot of time remaining, and have made the decision that they would be happy apart. Everything is incredibly friendly.”They have had more than two decades of laughter and are extremely proud of their girls, but they know splitting is for the best.” Together, they have experienced a great deal.
According to sources, there is no third party involved, and it is known that divorce attorneys have not yet received instructions, but that this will happen eventually.
The couple started dating in the early 2000s while Kay was a model attempting to become a television presenter and Ms. Daly hosted the children’s program SMTV.
When they got married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Horwich, they used a VW camper van as their wedding vehicle. They were seen by many as a vibrant, carefree couple.
Despite Kay being caught ‘sexting’ Page Three model Rhian Sugden in 2010, their marriage has been considered one of the strongest in the entertainment industry.
When Ms. Daly discovered that her husband had been messaging Ms. Sugden, 39, after meeting her at a Bolton nightclub, she was horrified.
Even though they didn’t have a sexual relationship, a distressed Ms. Daly fought to keep their marriage intact before forgiving him.
Later, Ms. Sugden discussed the controversy in the Channel 4 documentary Page Three: The Naked Truth. “He just got away with it,” she remarked. For me, it ruined everything. Before that, I thought my career was progressing steadily. I wish we had never crossed paths. Ironically, he was able to apologise on the radio and continue with Family Fortunes. I still get nauseated from it.
“I’ve let down my wife, Tess,” Kay said, acknowledging that she had sent flirtatious texts to “four or five girls” at that time. He admitted on-air, “I’m an idiot.” “I’m not a sex pest, but I’ve been foolish and stupid.”
Kay’s career also suffered greatly as a result of his extramarital affairs. He was once ITV’s golden boy, but he had trouble landing high-profile, well-paying jobs.
Five months have passed since Ms. Daly hosted her final Strictly, which she had co-hosted with the late Sir Bruce Forsyth since the show’s 2004 debut, followed by Claudia Winkleman.
To support his wife, Kay was a regular at Elstree Studios, where the show is produced, even during the previous series. According to Ms. Daly’s friend, “everything changed for her within six or seven months.” She is content.
