As she quits Strictly Come Dancing following her husband Vernon Kay’s revelation that he never sees her, Tess Daly is focused on reviving her marriage when she leaves the show

She shocked the nation when she dropped the bombshell that she will be quitting Strictly Come Dancing after 21 years on the show. Tess Daly’s surprise decision came just eight weeks after her husband of 22 years Vernon Kay said he never misses a Strictly episode – so that he knows Tess is OK.

The BBC Radio 2 presenter explained that he has the dance show playing wherever he is, even if he is working. Vernon, 51, revealed, “I rarely go out when Strictly’s on because I want to make sure everything’s alright. If I’m working, I have it on at the side of the stage.”

But sources say Tess – who shares daughters Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16, with Vernon – is now looking forward to having more time to see her family. A source says, “Strictly is a real whirlwind – it is chaotic and they don’t have much time together.

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Tess and Claudia are quitting Strictly together(Image: PA)

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She has been married to Vernon for 22 years(Image: Instagram/tessdaly)

“Vernon has been understanding and knows this. Tess has been on Strictly forever but it’s been heartbreaking for her not to have as much time as she’s want with her family – it’s the juggle so many women have.

“They’re seeing her taking time away from work briefly as their fresh start – a chance for her and Vernon to have some space for their relationship. Once Strictly has stopped, she can have so much more family time, more holidays, more special time with the kids and for work opportunities. It’s going to be very positive for them as a couple.”

Tess, 56, and Vernon, 51, have enjoyed one of the strongest marriages in showbiz, having first set eyes on each other at a BBC Christmas party in 2001. They had plenty in common as they both moved from modelling careers into TV presenting.

Tess once admitted that the initial spark was intense and immediate, with Vernon getting down on one knee just a year later. He popped the question to Tess on Christmas Day while at her parents’ home in Stockport.

They married in 2003 at Vernon’s local church, St Mary’s, in his birthplace of Horwich, Bolton. Tess wore a white strapless A-line gown, while Vernon opted for a white suit which he matched with a pink shirt and patterned tie.

However, seven years and two children later the couple faced a scandal that threatened to tear their marriage apart. It was revealed that Vernon had been sending risqué messages to four women, including glamour model Rhian Sugden.

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The couple share two teenage daughters, Phoebe and Amber(Image: tessdaly / Instagram)

Tess and Vernon survived the scandal, yet it resurfaced five years later amid claims that the presenter and Rhian had allegedly been messaging each other again. Vernon insisted there had been nothing “inappropriate” in their exchanges and said he’d told Tess about everything.

Thankfully, the pair managed to put it all behind them and rebuild their relationship with a secret vow renewal. Tess remained silent on the reports at the time, but later confessed in 2017 that marriages are a “work in progress”.

The source claims, “They work hard on their marriage and they’ve got to because it’s tough. It’s tough being with someone in the showbiz world. It’s tough having that spotlight on you all the time. They need a little downtime without the cameras on.

“She’s had to learn to trust him again and once that trust is broken, it’s really hard and it has been hard for them. Trust is earned, and he’s had to try and earn it. But they’re strong at the minute, and they’re going to have a lot more time together after Strictly.”

The source adds, “It is in some ways a fresh start. She’s been on the show for so many decades, so it is going to be different for them, but it’s going to be for the better. They’ve got more time to spend together and grow as a couple, so it can only be a good thing.”

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Tess will be able to spend more time with her family after quitting Strictly

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The presenter admitted she even works while on holiday(Image: Instagram/tessdaly)

Both Tess and Vernon have impressive careers in the spotlight, but it has come at a cost. Earlier this year, Tess revealed she works every day, even on family holidays.

Eldest daughter Phoebe has already flown the nest, splitting her time between London and Dubai as a film student, while Amber is deciding her next steps. And sources say they’re looking forward to having more time together once Tess leaves Strictly as she’ll have less to juggle.

Tess, who is also the co-owner of luxury swimwear brand Naia Beach, revealed her strong work ethic back in March when she said, “Recently, I took the girls on a trip to Dubai. Every single day, I was working on the brand. I’m the type of person who feels a bit guilty lying on a sunbed when there’s work to be done.”

She added, “It’s part of the juggle, but as women, we are busy trying to fit all those hats on, because that’s what we do. Hand on heart, I’ve been striving for that perfect balance in my entire career since becoming a mother. It’s not easy. Every mother I know is Wonder Woman because they are trying their hardest.”

The sources adds, “Tess loves the job, and that’s the crux of it, but I think this is going to be good for her and Vernon and they’re going to have more quality time together.”