In Pictures: Tess Daly and Vernon Kay through the years

EntertainmentLifestyle
9 May 2026 • 5:48 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

In Pictures: Tess Daly and Vernon Kay through the years

Models turned TV presenters Tess Daly and Vernon Kay have announced they are separating after 22 years of marriage.

Like with most marriages, the couple enjoyed their ups and downs, many of which were captured by the Press Association’s photographers over the years.

Here we take a look back at Tess and Vernon’s relationship in pictures.

2001

It is perhaps not surprising that Tess and Vernon started dating. Both attractive former models from the North West of England who carved out careers for themselves as television presenters, the couple had plenty in common.

They certainly appeared to be enjoying themselves in the early 2000s, making appearances at the NME Carling Awards and the UK Gala Premiere of Pearl Harbour.

Vernon and Tess at the NME Carling Awards (PA) (PA Archive)Attending the UK Gala Premiere of Pearl Harbour at the Odeon, Leicester Square (PA) (PA Archive)

2003

The couple tied the knot in 2003. Despite both being famous faces, they shunned offers of six-figure deals with glossy celebrity magazines for exclusive photographs of their wedding.

The pair, both dressed in white, instead posed for fans’ photographs outside St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, in Horwich, near Kay’s home town of Bolton.

The newlyweds were subsequently photographed in the stands enjoying a football match between Bolton Wanderers and Middlesbrough at the Reebok Stadium.

Tess Daly and Vernon Kay leaving St Mary’s Church in Horwich, Bolton, on their wedding day (PA) (PA Archive)The newlyweds cheering on Vernon’s home town team Bolton Wanderers (PA) (PA Archive)

2004

Tess was pregnant with the couple’s first child, Phoebe, in 2004 as she continued to attend glitzy events with her husband.

Vernon alongside Tess with a baby bump at the opening night of salsa musical Murderous Instincts at the Savoy Theatre (PA) (PA Archive)Expectant couple Tess and Vernon at the GQ Men Of The Year Awards (PA) (PA Archive)

2007

The couple began rubbing shoulders with royalty and started what would become a long-term relationship with The Prince’s Trust.

Tess and Vernon look on as the then Prince Charles greets Kelly and Sharon Osbourne at a special Prince’s Trust awards ceremony (PA) (PA Archive)

2008

More charity work followed for the celebrity duo.

Patrons Tess and Vernon at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, where they helped reopen an old fireplace for the launch of Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Christmas Appeal (PA) (PA Archive)

2010

Vernon and Tess watching a video as they present the Prince’s Trust Celebrate Success Awards (PA) (PA Archive)Tess hugging Vernon after he completed the London Triathlon (PA) (PA Archive)

2013

The couple have made numerous appearances at Wimbledon over the years, including in the Royal Box in 2013.

Tess and Vernon in the Royal Box behind Sir Terry Wogan and Lady Helen Wogan (PA) (PA Archive)

2014

Tess and Vernon at a reception for the Prince’s Trust Invest in Futures Gala Dinner at The Savoy Hotel while the then Prince of Wales met singer Tinie Tempah (PA) (PA Archive)

2015

They were guests at fellow TV presenter Declan Donnelly’s wedding in Newcastle in 2015.

Tess and Vernon at the wedding of Declan Donnelly and Ali Astall, at St Michael’s Church, Elswick, Newcastle (PA) (PA Archive)

2021

Vernon and Tess at the World Premiere of No Time To Die (PA) (PA Archive)

2024

Tess and Vernon have continued their relationship with the King over the years. The couple attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace with Charles in 2024.

The King speaking with the couple at The Sovereign’s Creative Industries Garden Party (PA) (PA Archive)

2025

A trip to Windsor Castle was in order a year later when Tess was made an MBE at an investiture ceremony.

Tess Daly with Vernon Kay and their daughter Phoebe Kay (left) after she was made an MBE (PA) (PA Wire) Read More

Tess Daly and Vernon Kay announce split after 22 years of marriage

Minnesota church spent $2 million on luxury lifestyle, prosecutors say

Boy dies after being hit by a falling tree in Stafford

Church appeals ban on street preaching after passerby told ‘he was going to hell’

Scottish Greens ‘no longer wasted vote’ as party gains first constituency MSPs

We always knew it would be a tough election – Russell Findlay