The glittering TV couple’s split has left Tess Daly reeling, sources reveal, as Vernon Kay appears to embrace life post-marriage.
After 23 years together, the news of their amicable separation shocked fans and the showbiz world alike. Since announcing their split earlier this month, Vernon has made his first post-divorce TV appearance on BBC’s The One Show, while Tess was spotted teasing a new project following her exit from Strictly Come Dancing.
Yet behind the smiles and public appearances, insiders claim Tess is struggling to process the reality of their separation. A close source told Heat:
“It’s been an incredibly tough few months for Tess. She’s a strong woman, but underneath it all, she’s felt incredibly vulnerable. Seeing Vernon move forward with his life without her has left her almost at breaking point. She’s feeling completely numb at times, but she’s focused on her daughters, holding it together for them.”
Tess and Vernon, who tied the knot in 2003, share two daughters — Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16. Friends say that over the years, the couple grew into different people, and their priorities began to diverge.
“They’ve changed and grown apart,” a source told MailOnline. “Vernon still loves a fun night out, football, and ’90s disco nights, while Tess is more reserved and focused on other things. She’s in her late 50s, and Vernon is only five years younger, but the gap in lifestyle and interests has grown. They simply want different lives.”
Over the past year, Vernon has attended events without Tess, including multiple Oasis reunion shows and the BRITS. Meanwhile, Tess has remained focused on family and taking cautious steps toward her own future.
“Tess knows things are over, but she’s taking it one small step at a time,” the insider added. “Her priority is her daughters, and she’s trying to process everything slowly.”
