Tess Daly reportedly expressed a desire to prioritize herself before publicly announcing her separation from Vernon Kay, according to sources. The former host of Strictly Come Dancing, 57, and TV personality Vernon, 52, shared the news of their split after nearly 23 years of marriage on Friday.

Insiders revealed that Tess, a mother to Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16, with Vernon, contemplated taking a year off to enjoy her newfound freedom following her departure from the BBC show alongside Claudia Winkleman. They shared with Closer magazine that Tess wanted to focus on her own needs and explore opportunities she had missed out on due to her longstanding work commitments.

While Vernon mentioned constraints due to his Radio 2 show, he acknowledged the appeal of occasional extended getaways. Despite the separation, the couple remains amicable, as per sources close to them, who noted that they are handling the situation maturely and mutually agreed that they had grown apart.

In a joint statement posted on Instagram, Tess and Vernon confirmed their separation, emphasizing their enduring friendship and dedication to co-parenting their children. They requested privacy during this transition, stating that no other individuals were involved in their decision. The couple assured that they would not provide further public statements on the matter.