EXCLUSIVE: Insiders claim Tess Daly and Vernon Kay are hoping to have an ‘amicable divorce’ and want to do things quickly and are considering online lawyers
Despite ending 22 years of marriage Vernon Kay has liked a few of Tess Daly’s holiday snaps recently(Image: Getty Images for BAFTA)
Former celebrity power couple Tess Daly and Vernon Kay are planning a ‘quickie divorce’ according to insiders and plan to instruct online lawyers to ensure things remain amicable and the legal fees don’t rack up. A source told the Mirror: “Tess doesn’t want to spend thousands on solicitors for a divorce. A friend suggested they look at getting a quickie divorce online. They don’t see there’s anything to fight over and know they’ll agree on everything fairly.”
Fans were stunned when Tess, 57, and Vernon, 52, announced they were calling time on their marriage last month. At the time, the Mirror reported the pair marked the end of their marriage with a glass of champagne before sending their joint statement to the press. A source close to the couple said they were determined to ‘keep it classy’ as they entered a new chapter of their lives.
That sentiment has continued. Just weeks after they announced the end of their marriage they partied together at food festival, Pub In The Park. Tess has continued to wear her wedding ring while Vernon still refers to himself as the ‘other half of Tess Daly’ on his social media bio.
Our source added: “They’re still living under the same roof and have effectively re-coupled as friends. They won’t be fighting over assets and will always stay close.”
After 23 years of marriage and raising daughters Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16, together, the couple are said to be keen to avoid a lengthy courtroom battle. Instead, they hope to divide their assets fairly and move forward as friends.
The former couple’s combined worth is estimated to be £6m. The main family home in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire is valued at a reported £3m which they bought in 2018 for £1.18m. Vernon also owns a £370,000 property in his hometown of Bolton. The couple have joint control of production company, 21TV Limited, which has around £740,000 in assets.
Vernon earns around £395,000 for his BBC Radio 2 show. Ahead of her departure from Strictly last year, Tess earned a reported £400k a year, supplemented by brand endorsements and her involvement with swimwear brand NAIA Beach which has an estimated annual turnover of half a million.
Online divorces can cost as little as £300 where lawyers handle all correspondence, plus an additional £612 court fee.
The source added: ‘They’re mates and want their friendship to stay intact. There’s no point dragging things out and racking up huge legal fees. They only want the best for each other and their family. There has been no dramatic fallout, more a gradual growing apart and wanting different things.”
Since stepping down as host of Strictly Come Dancing after more than two decades on the show, Tess has devoted more time to her swimwear brand, Naia Beach. She co-founded the business with friend Gayle Lawton in 2021 after the pair struggled to find stylish, flattering swimwear.
Last week, Tess travelled to the Greek island of Lefkada with a team of models to shoot the brand’s latest campaign. Sharing photographs from the trip on social media, she received a supportive message from Vernon, further underlining the friendly nature of their split.
Alongside heart and fire emojis, he commented: ‘Absolutely rocking. Every woman needs to experience the Naia Beach vibe.’
The Radio 2 presenter and former Strictly host, both of whom began their careers as models before finding fame in television, announced the end of their marriage in May, stressing that the decision had been made amicably.
In their joint statement, they said: “This has not been an easy choice, but it comes from a place of mutual understanding and a shared desire for what is best for both of us.”
Their marriage hit the headlines in 2010 when Kay admitted to sending explicit texts to five women, after which he later apologised on his Radio 1 show, he hosted at the time.
A representative for Vernon declined to comment. The Mirror approached Tess’ spokesperson for comment.
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