Vernon Kay was left with a dilemma during his BBC Radio 2 show on Monday, as he contemplated his wife Tess Daly's decision to quit Strictly Come Dancing alongside Claudia Winkleman
14:23, 03 Nov 2025Updated 14:24, 03 Nov 2025
Radio presenter Vernon Kay experienced an unexpected realisation during his BBC Radio 2 programme today when he suddenly discovered the implications of his wife Tess Daly's announcement to step down from Strictly Come Dancing following the current series.
The broadcaster was discussing his home life with a listener when he used the familiar nickname he regularly employs for Tess during his shows.
Tess, who has featured in the BBC ballroom contest since it launched in 2004, is regularly referred to as "Strictly Come Dancing's Tess Daly" by her husband, owing to her enduring connection with the programme, and he utilised that very description during Monday morning's show.
Nevertheless, Vernon reconsidered his customary title for the first time, with the host questioning how he'll identify his spouse once she departs from Strictly.
The star made the observation whilst discussing ABBA Voyage with a participant on his radio quiz show, Ten To The Top, which led Vernon to mention that Tess and their two daughters, Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16, have visited the virtual performance multiple times in London.
He disclosed: "Our girls and Strictly Come Dancing's Tess Daly have been to that more than once, they love it," to which the listener responded: "Yeah, I'd love to go back and do it again."
However, Vernon then diverted from the subject, declaring: "I've just realised I'm going to have to think of a new moniker for Tess, do you know what I mean?" Vernon's revelation followed rumours that Tess had decided to leave the show to spend more quality time with him and their daughters.
An insider revealed to The Mirror: "Strictly is a real whirlwind – it is chaotic and they don't have much time together. 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."
The Strictly fanbase was left stunned when Tess and co-host Claudia Winkleman announced their departure from the dance competition, having led the series as a pair since 2014.
Before their joint hosting gig, Tess shared presenting duties on Strictly with the late Sir Bruce Forsyth, while Claudia helmed spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two.
In a joint statement, Tess and Claudia said: "We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time.
"We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show. They're the most brilliant team and we'll miss them every day.
"We will cry when we say the last 'keep dancing' but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza."