TESS Daly will return as the co-host of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing when the 17th series premieres TONIGHT (September 7).
Vernon Kay’s wife is notoriously private about her life behind the scenes but we have delved into her story so far.
How much does Tess Daly get paid for hosting Strictly Come Dancing?
Tess, 50, began presenting BBC One’s dance contest Strictly back in 2004, and was joined by co-host Bruce Forsyth for ten years.
Then in 2014 he retired from the programme to be replaced by Claudia Winkleman, who remains as Tess’ partner to this day.
This autumn will be Tess’s 17th Strictly series, and she’s only ever missed a couple of episodes during her pregnancy, during which time Natasha Kaplinsky covered for her.
The BBC revealed Tess is being paid between £350k and £399k a year for her Strictly work, though her yearly earnings from all her modelling and endorsements is thought to be £750k.
When was the sexting scandal Tess’ husband Vernon Kay was involved in?
Tess’ marriage to fellow TV star Vernon, 45, has been rocked by two scandals involving a former Page 3 girl – but has still survived.
In 2010 their marriage almost came to an end after he was caught sexting model Rhian Sugden.
Vernon later apologised on Radio 1 to Tess, saying he had made “some stupid decisions”.
Six years later Vernon hit headlines again when he sent hundreds of texts to Rhian over a period of three months.
While Tess has remained silent about Vernon’s penchant for sexting Rhian over the years, she alluded to the secret of their survival in an interview in 2018.
She told the Daily Star: “There are so many highs with children to celebrate. It’s the good times that keep you together.”
How did Tess Daley meet Vernon Kay and how long have they been married?
Tess and fellow presenter Vernon Kay, five years her junior, began dating in 2001 when he was hosting T4.
The pair – who are parents to Phoebe and Amber – then married in 2003 in Horwich, near Kay’s native Bolton.
Becoming TV’s golden couple, they presented BBC singing competition Just The Two Of Us from 2006 to 2007.
What other TV shows has Tess Daly hosted?
After being encouraged by an American pal, Tess began interviewing celebs during red carpet events in the late ’90s.
She sent a tape as an audition for Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast in 2000, and this led her to host their Find Me A Model competition.
After that she landed hosting roles on Make Me A Supermodel, SMTV Live and Back To Reality, before bagging her Strictly Come Dancing gig in 2004.
Also, Tess has fronted BBC’s Children In Need.
Is Tess Daly on Instagram?
Yes, she is on Instagram.
You can follow the blonde bombshell on @tessdaly.
Tess fills her Instagram with loads of behind the scenes stuff from Strictly, plus lots of selfies with her co-host and BFF Claudia Winkleman.
How did Tess Daly become famous?
Tess was born on April 27, 1969, in Stockport, Cheshire, and grew up in Derbyshire.
The 50-year-old dog lover and mum-of-two lives in Fulmer, Buckinghamshire, with husband Vernon.
She has a younger sister called Karen, who Tess was out shopping with when she was spotted by a modelling headhunter, at the age of 18.
Her modelling saw her live in many countries, and she was based in Paris and New York for five years each.
She appeared in two Duran Duran videos and even stripped nude for a music video by band The Beloved.
More on Tess Daly
When can I watch Strictly Come Dancing 2019 on BBC One?
Strictly Come Dancing is returning for its 17th series on BBC One TODAY (September 7, 2019).
The show kicked off with the red carpet launch on Monday, August 26, 2019.
The live shows begin on Saturday, September 21, with the results airing the following day on Sundays.
You can get the FULL celebrity line-up here.
