Vernon Kay and Tess Daly reportedly marked the end of their 25-year marriage in an unexpectedly calm and emotional way — by sharing a bottle of champagne together inside their Buckinghamshire mansion after announcing their separation.
The beloved TV couple stunned fans on Friday when they confirmed they were splitting after more than two decades together. Despite the heartbreaking news, insiders insist there has been “no big fallout” between the pair, who are determined to stay close friends and supportive parents to daughters Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16.
According to reports, Vernon and Tess uploaded their joint Instagram statement before quietly raising a glass to each other and to “their futures” inside the home they still share together. A source claimed the pair wanted to “keep things classy” as they move into the next chapter of their lives.
The insider explained: “After they released the statement, Vernon and Tess took a moment to toast each other and their futures. They only want the best for each other and their family.”
Friends close to the couple say the split was not caused by a dramatic betrayal or explosive argument, but rather years of slowly drifting apart. “They’ve basically been living separate lives,” one source revealed, adding that the pair no longer shared the same hobbies or interests and eventually realised they would be happier apart.
Even so, the separation is said to be incredibly amicable. The two stars are reportedly still living together for now at their mansion in Beaconsfield while they work through the next stage of their lives. Their daughters were also said to be fully involved in conversations about the split.
In their emotional public statement, the pair wrote: “After much consideration, and with a deep sense of care and respect for one another, we have made the decision to separate amicably.”
They continued: “This has not been an easy choice, but it comes from a place of mutual understanding and a shared desire of what is best for both of us.”
The couple also firmly denied that any third party was involved in the breakdown of the marriage and asked for privacy during the difficult time.
Vernon and Tess first met in 2001 while working together on Top Of The Pops@Play. Vernon later admitted he was instantly attracted to Tess because of her independence, recalling: “She spotted me in a crowd and we had a laugh.”
The pair became one of British television’s most adored couples, marrying in 2003 and building a glamorous showbiz life together reportedly worth around £10million.
However, their relationship famously faced turmoil in 2010 when Vernon admitted to sending flirty messages to glamour model Rhian Sugden. At the time, Vernon publicly confessed: “I’ve let down my wife Tess. I’m an idiot. I’ve been stupid and daft but I’m not a sex pest.”
Tess eventually forgave him and the couple continued to present a united front for years afterward, with many fans believing they had survived the scandal for good.
Their split now comes just months after Tess stepped down from Strictly Come Dancing following more than two decades fronting the BBC juggernaut.
Friends say both Vernon and Tess are now looking ahead positively despite the sadness surrounding the end of their marriage. One insider insisted: “They are actually really, really happy now.”
