Tess Daly: ‘I’ve never loved Vernon more’

You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone, right? Just ask Tess Daly. She and Vernon Kay have been together for more than 20 years – and married for 17 – but, according to her, their relationship is stronger than ever, and it’s all thanks to his absence while filming I’m A Celebrity.

In an interview last week, the Strictly presenter opened up about the struggles she faced while Vernon was competing in the bug-infested castle in Wales last year, revealing that the challenges of single parenting had really gotten to her, and that they were “soulmates”.

“The printer, the dishwasher, the dryer [all broke],” said Tess last week in a chat with Women’s Health, which was accompanied by a stunning photo shoot. “Basically, everything you need when solo parenting. I was like, ‘OK, Vern, I really do need you around the house.’ We’re soulmates, me and Vernon. It’s been a ride. And I love him more than ever.”

The normally publicity shy couple have shared more about their relationship recently. For years, they were rarely even pictured together, let alone spoke much about each other in public. But after 46-year-old Vernon entered the I’m A Celeb castle in November, Tess, 51, became his biggest cheerleader, posting previously unseen photos of her and their two daughters – Phoebe, 16, and Amber, 11 – as well as cheering her husband on and telling fans how much she missed him.

She also shared throwback pictures of the couple in their younger days, as well as one from their vow renewal five years ago, and said how “proud” she was of him.

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Vernon has also opened up more about his relationship with Tess in recent months, saying in an interview in February that he’d struggled with the five weeks they were apart during I’m A Celeb (he had to self-isolate before going into the castle).

He revealed, “It’s the longest period of time that I’ve ever been away from the girls – from the family unit. At first you think, ‘Yeah, I can have steak again, I can put my feet on the sofa, I don’t have to take my shoes off at the back door.’ But then you think, ‘I hate this quietness, I like the noise, I miss them.’”

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The pair – who married in 2003 – have certainly had their ups and downs. In 2010, Vernon was caught sexting Page 3 model Rhian Sugden. He later apologised to Tess on his radio show, saying, “Tess is extremely upset. Hopefully, I can clear the slate and start again.” They seemed to move on from the drama. But in 2016, it resurfaced again, after it was revealed that Vernon had been in contact with Rhian again over the course of three months, although he insisted he’d done so merely “to try to find answers to questions that I’ve had since 2010.”

But now the couple have well and truly put their troubles behind them, with Vernon showing himself to be an indispensable husband, dad and all-round DIY handyman around the house. Which is enough to make any wife fall back in love with her husband. And, judging by Tess’ new set of knockout photos, we can think of a few pretty good reasons why Vernon loves her more than ever right back.

Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine – OUT NOW.