![\"Tess](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1_The-Creative-Industries-Garden-Party-2024jpglit.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTess Daly and Vernon Kay announced they had separated after 23 years of marriage on Friday.<\/p>\n
15:22, 10 May 2026Updated 15:23, 10 May 2026<\/p>\n
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Tess Daly and Vernon Kay have split after 23 years of marriage(Image: Yui Mok – WPA Pool\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
The reason behind TV presenters Tess Daly and Vernon Kay<\/a>‘s shock split has been revealed by a friend. In a statement that stunned the entertainment world, the couple announced their “amicable” divorce after 23 years of marriage.<\/p>\n However, that joint statement released on social media<\/a> didn’t unveil the root cause of the break up. A friend of the couple has now confirmed that there was no dramatic fall-out but, instead, the pair had slowly drifted apart since getting married.<\/p>\n They claimed that Tess, 57, and Vernon, 52, were at different stages of their life and that, although the five-year age gap seemed unimportant when they tied the knot in 2003, it appeared to have “widened” over recent years, reports the Mirror<\/a>.<\/p>\n The close friend claimed that the couple didn’t have a lot in common anymore and that they have “aged differently”, according to the Daily Mail<\/a>.<\/p>\n They said: “Tess<\/a> needs to find a rich, older man with a yacht, while Vernon is still a big kid. He loves going out and having a good time, he loves to have a drink and a laugh.”<\/p>\n Vernon<\/a> and Tess’ interests are said to be very different. He enjoys his time at gigs and watching American football while she prefers to relax on ‘girls weekends’.<\/p>\n The couple have drifted apart in recent years(Image: Tim P. Whitby\/Getty Images for EJAF)<\/p>\n It is understood that Vernon has been to see Oasis five times on their reunion tour but not once with Tess<\/a>. She is now reportedly ready to be ‘selfish’ after leaving Strictly Come Dancing.<\/p>\n The source said: “They are totally different people now. They used to have so much in common but things have changed. They have changed. They have aged differently.<\/p>\n “Tess needs to find a rich, older man with a yacht, while Vernon<\/a> is still a big kid. He loves going out and having a good time, he loves to have a drink and a laugh.<\/p>\n “He loves the \u201990s disco nights that he puts on. He loves football, American football and Oasis. Tess<\/a> isn\u2019t interested in any of that.”<\/p>\n BBC<\/a> Radio 2 DJ Vernon has spent a lot of time socialising without his Tess in recent times. He attended the Brit Awards with Noel Gallagher and enjoys his 90s DJing nights.<\/p>\n Previously, Vernon<\/a> had betrayed Tess’ trust when he became embroiled in a sexting scandal with former Page 3 girl Rhian Sugden. However, the couple have denied that any other parties were involved in the break up. Instead, the pair have celebrated their marriage and their two daughters, Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16 – even toasting their split with a glass of champagne.<\/p>\n Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!<\/p>\n Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n All you have to do is click here<\/a>, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Vernon](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1_Elton-John-Aids-Foundation-Midsummer-Party-Party.jpg\")
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