Tess Daly and Vernon Kay left fans stunned after announcing their split following 22 years of marriage. The TV power couple revealed they have "amicably" parted ways, stressing that no third party was involved in their decision. In a joint statement on Instagram, they penned: "After much consideration, and with a deep sense of care and respect for one another, we have made the decision to separate amicably. 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.
"We remain great friends and, most importantly, fully committed to our roles as loving and supportive parents, which will always be our priority." The pair, who share daughters Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16, added: "There are no other parties involved in this decision."
It has been reported that Tess, 57, and Vernon, 52, were together when they published the joint statement, drinking champagne as they planned to "celebrate the new chapter ahead".
A source close to the couple told the Mirror: "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. There has been no big fallout, more a gradual growing apart and wanting different things. They have vowed to stay friends and to keep things classy when it comes to the split and any future interviews they give. They only want the best for each other."
It is understood they went public with their decision after returning from a Caribbean holiday last month, which they reportedly attended as friends.
A friend of the couple's explained that they had simply grown apart and after several conversations, decided it was best to part ways.
They said: "They have had many conversations about this and tears were shed. It wasn't a sudden decision but it's something they have been quietly navigating together for some time. It was very natural in a way, it's just one of those things.
"Vernon is a real social butterfly, he loves going to parties with Phoebe and hanging out with her doing things, while Tess is a bit more of a homebody.
"They are still such great friends, which is why they went on that family holiday together. Amber and Phoebe are Tess and Vernon's world and their focus is solely on them.
"They'll continue to co-parent together and keep making happy memories with their girls."
While bitter splits and messy divorces often lead to disputes over assets, a friend of Tess and Vernon has insisted this will not be the case for them, revealing the former Strictly Come Dancing presenter is expected to remain in their six-bedroom Buckinghamshire home while they work out their future plans.
Tess and Vernon tied the knot in the BBC Radio 1 presenter's hometown of Horwich, Greater Manchester in September 2003.
Their marriage made headlines in 2010 when Vernon admitted sending explicit texts to around five women, later apologising to hundreds of thousands of listeners on the Radio 1 show he was hosting at the time.
He interrupted the programme to tell his two million listeners that he had been "foolish and stupid".
Just one month later, Tess declared their relationship was "worth fighting for", noting they had enjoyed "10 great years together" and shared "two beautiful kids".
They went on to renew their vows in the South of France in 2013.
At the time, Vernon said: "I booked a weekend in our favourite hotel in the South of France, and I spoke to her stylist at the time, and I said I needed four dresses. She didn't know anything.
"I gave her a card, and it said congratulations on your second wedding day, and I said, 'We're going to renew our vows'. She said, 'I've got nothing to wear' and I said, 'You say that... pick one'. We went to reception and her mum, my parents, the kids, and my brother were waiting, and she was like, 'Oh my God' - we had such a lovely day."
In 2020, Tess opened up on the couple's bond during an interview with Women's Health, gushing: "We're soulmates, me and Vernon. It's been a ride. And I love him more than ever."
