Their Last TV Moment

Vernon Kay and Tess Daly’s final joint television appearance has taken on new significance following the couple’s announcement that they have separated after more than two decades of marriage.

The presenters, long regarded as one of British television’s most familiar couples, appeared together on The One Show on 25 February. The BBC appearance marked their first time hosting together in nearly 20 years and came just months before they confirmed the end of their marriage.

During the episode, Kay and Daly fronted the programme together and welcomed guests including Jessie Buckley, Maggie Gyllenhaal and members of the Bridgerton cast. The pairing gave viewers a rare on-screen glimpse of the couple’s professional chemistry, with Kay joking at the start of the broadcast: “Someone who will definitely keep me in check.”

The appearance also marked a notable return to television for Daly after her departure from Strictly Come Dancing, the flagship BBC entertainment series she hosted for 21 years. Her long association with the ballroom format included years alongside the late Bruce Forsyth and, later, Claudia Winkleman, making her one of the defining faces of Saturday night television.

Kay, meanwhile, has remained a regular presence across British broadcasting, including his BBC Radio 2 work following Ken Bruce’s departure from the station’s mid-morning slot. His One Show appearance with Daly therefore brought together two high-profile BBC careers in a format built around celebrity interviews and topical entertainment.

On Friday, 8 May, Kay and Daly announced that they had separated. In a joint statement, they said the decision had not been easy, but stressed that they remain great friends and are committed to being loving and supportive parents.

The couple married in 2003 and share two daughters, Phoebe and Amber. Their announcement drew attention not only because of their long marriage, but also because of their sustained visibility within British entertainment, from Daly’s Strictly era to Kay’s radio and television work.

Their February appearance on The One Show now stands as their final known television outing together before the split became public.