Copyright walesonline
For over two decades, Tess Daly has remained the familiar face of Strictly Come Dancing , initially presenting alongside the Sir Bruce Forsyth before teaming up with beloved co-host Claudia Winkleman. The role launched the former model from hosting programmes such as Find Me A Model and SMTV: Live directly into prime-time television. 21 years later, Tess has witnessed numerous celebrities claim the glitterball trophy, judging panel transformations, blossoming and crumbling romances, plus various scandals unfolding both on and off camera. Now, her time hosting the show has come to an end after her and her co-host have decided to call it a day, quitting the show together. With that in mind we've decided to look in to the mother-of-two's life beyond the television cameras, including her actual name, age and marriage to BBC Radio 2 host Vernon Kay. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . The presenter was born in Stockport during March 1969, making her 56 years old. Her birth name is Helen Elizabeth Daly, but when she launched her modelling career, another model called Helen Daly already existed, prompting her to reconsider her professional name. Reports suggest her agent was captivated by Nastassja Kinski from the film Tess and suggested she adopt the name herself. Tess subsequently reflected that she was "gullible and impressionable" at the time. Throughout her modelling years, she spent five years in New York and featured in two Duran Duran music videos before transitioning into television presenting. Tess has been wed to radio and TV personality Vernon Kay for over two decades, although their marriage was once shaken by a 'sexting' controversy. The pair first crossed paths as emerging presenters working on separate programmes, Vernon was fronting T4 on Channel 4 at the time, whilst Tess was hosting SMTV on ITV Saturday mornings with Ant and Dec. Following a two-year courtship, they tied the knot in 2003 and are parents to daughters Phoebe Elizabeth Kay and Amber Isabella Kay. The duo encountered turbulence in 2010 when Vernon owned up to sending flirtatious messages to glamour model Rhian Sugden. Tess was allegedly left 'devastated' after he revealed he had been exchanging explicit texts with five different women. Vernon declared at the time: "Tess is extremely upset about this and we're working through it. But in some ways I'm glad this story has come out. It feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. "I knew it was getting silly. I'm never going to do it again and hopefully I can clear the slate clean and start again. I'm so sorry. I've been an idiot and I've let my family down." In the aftermath, Vernon issued a public apology to his spouse on BBC Radio One. He acknowledged making 'foolish' choices, stating: "I've disappointed and let down a lot of people. To my family and everybody, I'm very sorry." Whilst Tess' primary role involves presenting Strictly, she maintains several commercial ventures outside of television. Tess and her best mate Gayle Lawton kicked off their own high-end beachwear business during the Covid pandemic, named Naia Beach. Tess shared with the Irish Independent in a chat about the brand, which now boasts a host of celebrities as its admirers: "We want to empower women to feel their best selves in those vulnerable moments." Last year, Tess also unveiled her own jewellery range catering to all budgets, with reviewers praising the pieces available on the QVC shopping channel as "beautiful". Tess will still be presenting the rest of this year's Strictly Come Dancing alongside Claudia, however this year will be the pair's last. Their final show will be this year's Strictly Christmas special.
