Tess Daly in Strictly promo pic and Vernon Kay at the BAFTAs
News

Vernon Kay ‘promises wife Tess Daly to be by her side’ amid Strictly scrutiny

Tess is back for the 20th series of Strictly!

| Updated:

Vernon Kay has reportedly promised to support wife Tess Daly amid any Strictly Come Dancing scrutiny.

It’s been a tough year for the BBC show following the exits of two of its pro dancers – Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice – following misconduct allegations.

The series is now back on our screens for its 20th season, and seems to be focused on the glitz and sparkle of the show.

Tess Daly and Vernon Kay smiling at the BAFTAs
Vernon “knows how much Strictly means” to wife Tess, a report claims (Credit: Cover Images)

Vernon Kay and Tess Daly

However, according to a report, hosts Tess and Claudia Winkleman have been “putting on a brave face” as the series returned.

A source told OK!: “Tess always knew that this series of Strictly would be under huge scrutiny and that it would attract a lot of criticism as soon as it started. Her and Claudia have been putting on a brave face and have been going all out to make the contestants and dancers feel welcome and get viewers excited.”

On Vernon being a support for Tess, the insider added: “She’s so pleased that she’s got Vernon by her side, being her cheerleader and picking her up when she’s down or worried. He knows how much Strictly means to her. He has promised to be by her side throughout it all.

“It’s not always been easy and there were times that she thought she couldn’t carry on. But she knows she couldn’t do life without him and needs him more than ever right now as she goes through one of the toughest periods of her career.”

ED! has contacted reps for Tess and Vernon for comment.

Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly in Strictly promo pic
Claudia and Tess are back for another series (Credit: BBC/Rob Parfitt)

Tess and Claudia news

In July, a source alleged that Tess and Claudia were “terrified about what’s going to happen next” with Strictly.

The insider also claimed that the hosting duo had a secret ‘pact’ about their futures on the show.

They said: “Tess and Claudia have made a pact that if one of them leaves, then the other will go as well. Neither wants to do the show without the other. They know they are going to be leaning on each other a lot once this series starts as there will be so much scrutiny.”

Tess Daly smiling in gold dress on Strictly
A report claims Tess feels “so pleased that she’s got Vernon by her side” (Credit: BBC/Rob Parfitt)

Read more: Inside Tess and Claudia’s troubled return to Strictly – from ‘panic talks’ to fears over future of show

If you want to get all the latest Strictly news, head to our dedicated Facebook fan page HERE.

YouTube video player

Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think of this story.


Rebecca Carter
Associate Editor (News)