Vernon Kay has made it clear that his daughters with wife Tess Daly will not be handed everything on a silver platter, as he discusses their evolving family dynamics.
The BBC Radio 2 DJ, 51, shares daughters Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16, with former Strictly Come Dancing host Tess, 57. In a candid new interview, Vernon shared how he and Tess have always emphasized the importance of hard work to their girls, urging them to “go out and graft” for their dreams, instead of relying on their parents’ fame.
“Now that Phoebe is 21 and Amber is nearly 17, our relationship with them is changing,” Vernon explained. “We talk about encouraging them to leave the nest and become independent, but we don’t really want them to.”
The proud father acknowledged the fears that come with watching their daughters grow up in a world much different from their own, particularly recalling the terror they felt when Phoebe started going out clubbing, wary of the dangers like drink spiking.
“You have to learn to enter their world, and that world has pitfalls that just didn’t exist for us,” he confessed.
Despite their famous parents, Vernon is adamant that Phoebe and Amber won’t be “nepo babies,” a term often used to describe children who gain fame or success due to their parents’ influence. Phoebe, a 21-year-old film production student, has embraced the influencer lifestyle, sharing glimpses of her enviable lifestyle with a steadily growing follower base.
Vernon proudly spoke about his daughter’s red carpet debut at the John Wick: Chapter 4 premiere in 2023, where Phoebe stunned in a chic white shirt and black pleather trousers.
But despite this exposure, Vernon insists that his daughters carve out their own paths, emphasizing that he and Tess “aren’t going to give them everything.”
While most parents would celebrate their child’s A-Level results with a small family gathering, Vernon took Phoebe to Ibiza in 2023 for a lavish father-daughter vacation. The trip included stays at luxurious hotels, exclusive beach clubs, and a fun-filled night with Calvin Harris, capturing the memories with Instagram-worthy snapshots.
“I was so proud to take Phoebe to Ibiza to celebrate the end of her A-Levels,” Vernon shared, noting the glamour of the trip as Phoebe soaked in the high life. But even amidst the parties and red carpets, Vernon insists the core lesson remains: hard work and independence come first.
Whether rubbing elbows with British TV stars at Bafta events or enjoying dinner with Emily Atack, Phoebe and Vernon’s bond is undeniable. But for the Kay family, it’s clear — while fame and privilege may open some doors, it’s up to Phoebe and Amber to find their own success.
