Vernon Kay's 'changing relationship' comment resurfaces after Tess Daly split announcement

Vernon Kay may have hinted at changes in his marriage to Tess Daly just days before the couple announced their separation after 23 years together.

The longtime television couple confirmed on Instagram that they had decided to “separate amicably” after “much consideration.” In their joint statement, Daly and Kay said the decision was made with “a deep sense of care and respect for one another,” adding that they remain close friends and are committed to co-parenting their two daughters, Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16. They also emphasised that there were “no other parties involved” and asked for privacy.

Following the announcement, attention turned to comments Kay made in a recent interview with The Times. Speaking about family life, he said that “our relationship with them is changing” as their daughters grow older and become more independent. While he was referring to their evolving relationship with their children, the quote has resurfaced as fans look back for signs that the couple’s dynamic was shifting.

Daly, best known for hosting Strictly Come Dancing, stepped down from the show in 2025 after more than two decades. Kay currently hosts a weekday program on BBC Radio 2. The pair met in 2001 and married in 2003, becoming one of the UK entertainment industry’s most recognisable couples.

Their separation comes after years of public scrutiny, including a 2010 sexting scandal involving Kay, which the couple worked through and moved beyond publicly. Despite that controversy, they continued to appear together professionally and personally, including co-hosting an episode of The One Show earlier this year.

Although Kay’s “changing relationship” remark was originally about parenting, its resurfacing has added a poignant layer to the couple’s announcement, marking the end of one of British television’s longest-lasting marriages.