Earlier this week, Tess Daly, the host of Strictly Come Dancing, revealed that she will be stepping down from the show after 21 years. Tess, who has been leading the competition since its beginning in 2004 alongside Bruce Forsyth and later Claudia Winkleman, stated in a video with her co-host that it was time to hand over the reins to new presenters.
Despite a reported salary of £150,000 for her role on the show, fans have been questioning the reasons behind Tess’s decision. What some may not be aware of is that apart from her on-screen work, Tess is also involved in a separate business venture that demands a significant amount of her time.
Established in 2021, Tess is a co-owner of Naia Beach, a swimwear brand, with her business partner Gayle Lawton. In a recent discussion on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast with Giovanna Fletcher, Tess shared that running the business is a consuming yet fulfilling endeavor that occupies a major part of her daily schedule.
In addition to her television career and entrepreneurial pursuits, Tess is a devoted mother to her daughters, Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 15, whom she shares with her husband Vernon Kay, a radio host on BBC Radio 2. Family life has played a significant role in Tess’s journey on Strictly Come Dancing, as she returned to work just six weeks after giving birth to her first child.
Following her announcement of leaving the show, speculations suggest that Tess might participate in her first reality show, Celebrity Traitors. While there were rumors of both Tess and Vernon joining Claudia’s show last year, Tess clarified that it was never on the cards. Tess emphasized her inability to deceive others, as revealed in a recent interview with The Metro newspaper.
Vernon also chimed in, highlighting the contrast in their ability to keep secrets. He expressed interest in the psychological aspects of a show like The Traitors. Strictly Come Dancing: The Results will be broadcast tonight at 7.15pm on BBC One.