Tess Daly and Vernon Kay Reunite for a Family Holiday in France

Tess Daly and Vernon Kay have come together again for a family holiday in France, several months after publicly announcing that they had decided to end their 22-year marriage. Despite their separation, the former couple appear to be maintaining a close and supportive relationship for the sake of their two daughters.

Earlier this year, Daly and Kay jointly confirmed that they had chosen to separate on friendly terms. In a statement shared with the public, they explained that the decision had been carefully considered and made with mutual respect and understanding. They also stressed that no third person had been involved in their decision to end their marriage.

Daly, 57, is widely recognised for her long-running role as a presenter on the BBC entertainment programme Strictly Come Dancing, while Kay, 52, is a well-known television and radio presenter who has worked with BBC Radio 2. The couple have two daughters together, Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 17.

When they announced their separation, the pair made it clear that, although their marriage was coming to an end, their responsibilities as parents would remain extremely important to them. They said they intended to stay good friends and continue working together as caring and supportive parents. Their daughters, they emphasised, would always come first.

Their recent family holiday in France appears to demonstrate that commitment.

On Wednesday, 2 September, Daly shared a series of photographs on Instagram showing the family spending time together during their trip. The images featured Daly, Kay and their two daughters enjoying a relaxing break in the south of France.

One of the photographs showed all four family members sitting together at a restaurant. Daly and Kay were pictured smiling alongside Phoebe and Amber, giving the impression of a happy family moment despite the changes in their relationship.

Other photographs from the trip offered a glimpse into Daly’s holiday. In one image, the television presenter could be seen standing on the deck of a yacht. Another photograph showed Daly taking a mirror selfie with her eldest daughter, Phoebe. A further picture captured Daly sitting on a wall while looking out across a picturesque French town.

Daly accompanied the collection of photographs with a caption referring to their final days of summer in the south of France. She described the trip as a final summer getaway with her family and shared the post with her large following on Instagram.

The photographs quickly attracted positive reactions from friends and fans. Many followers praised Daly and Kay for continuing to spend meaningful time together as a family even though they are no longer married.

Former Made in Chelsea personality Georgia Toffolo was among those who responded to the post. She praised the family for remaining united and described their approach as both admirable and inspiring. Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh also reacted to the post by leaving several heart emojis.

Other social media users expressed similar support. One follower said they were delighted to see the family together and described Daly and Kay as an inspiration. Another commented that more separated families should be able to maintain such a positive relationship, particularly for the benefit of their children. The fan suggested that the couple’s approach could prevent their daughters from feeling pressured to choose between their parents.

Daly and Kay first met in 2001, when both were emerging television presenters working for rival broadcasters. Their paths crossed at a BBC Christmas party, where they began getting to know each other.

Their relationship progressed quickly. The following year, in 2002, Kay proposed to Daly on Christmas Day while they were at Daly’s parents’ home. The proposal marked an important moment in their relationship, and the couple went on to marry the following September.

Their wedding took place close to Kay’s hometown of Bolton, in the north-west of England. The location was also relatively close to where Daly had grown up in Stockport, meaning that the couple’s marriage was celebrated in an area familiar to both of them.

For more than two decades, Daly and Kay remained one of Britain’s better-known celebrity couples. Throughout their marriage, they built successful careers in television and broadcasting while raising their two daughters.

Their decision to separate therefore came after a long period together and attracted considerable public attention. However, when announcing the split, they appeared determined to present a united front and make clear that their decision had been reached carefully.

In their joint statement, the couple explained that they had made their decision only after considerable thought. They said that the separation was based on mutual understanding and a shared belief that it was the right choice for both of them.

They also emphasised that the decision had not been made because of another romantic partner. By specifically stating that there were no other parties involved, they appeared to address potential speculation surrounding the end of their marriage.

Most importantly, Daly and Kay highlighted their intention to remain friends. Rather than allowing the end of their marriage to damage their relationship as parents, they said they were fully committed to supporting their daughters together.

Their recent trip to France appears to reinforce that promise. Although the couple have separated as husband and wife, they have shown that they can still create family memories and spend time together with their children.

The holiday also suggests that their relationship may have entered a new stage, one in which they continue to share important family experiences while living separate lives. Their decision to holiday together demonstrates that separation does not necessarily mean the complete end of a family relationship.

For Daly and Kay, maintaining a positive connection seems particularly important because their daughters are now young adults or approaching adulthood. By continuing to communicate and spend time together as a family, the former couple appear to be prioritising stability and emotional support for Phoebe and Amber.

The images from France have consequently been welcomed by many of their followers, who see the family’s behaviour as an encouraging example of how parents can remain united after a separation.

While the end of a 22-year marriage represents a major change in their personal lives, Daly and Kay appear committed to handling the transition with respect and maturity. Their family holiday offers a glimpse of that approach, showing that despite their separation, they can still enjoy time together and celebrate their role as parents.

For now, the couple seem focused on preserving their friendship and ensuring that their daughters remain at the centre of their family life. Their holiday in the south of France may therefore be more than simply a summer break; it also reflects their determination to move forward while continuing to share a strong family bond.