Vernon Kay was left frustrated by what he heard when he visited his wife Tess Daly at the Strictly Come Dancing studios, following the news that she and Claudia Winkleman will be leaving the BBC show
Kathryn Ingate Deputy Editor of Trendswatch
07:00, 08 Nov 2025
Vernon Kay, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman
TV and radio star Vernon Kay branded his wife Tess Daly’s Strictly Come Dancing colleagues “two-faced” after finding out what they’d been saying behind his back.
Speaking on his BBC Radio 2 show last week, Vernon, 51, revisited a debate he’d been having with Tess, 56, and their two daughters, Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16, over a purchase he’d made.
The star told listeners that he’d been subjected to “massive guffawing” at his expense over the decision as soon as he arrived at the Strictly Come Dancing studios at the end of October to support his other half, who is quitting the BBC series alongside co-host Claudia Winkleman at the end of this year.
Despite being mocked, Vernon has persisted on wearing the offending item, a pair of baggy jeans, and his Radio 2 listeners have been supporting his fashion choice.
Vernon Kay was mocked by Tess Daly’s Strictly colleagues(Image: Vernon Kay Instagram)
During Tuesday’s broadcast, Vernon received a message from “Mike the trucker”, who asked to borrow the presenter’s trousers if he manages to get tickets to see Madness perform in concert.
After reading the text aloud on air, Vernon replied: “Yes… the baggy jeans! Still up for debate in our house, I’ve not convinced the kids or Strictly Come Dancing’s Tess Daly that they are a vibe.
“Everyone at work thinks they’re a vibe, everyone I bump into thinks they’re a vibe, but apparently when I visited Strictly Come Dancing in my baggy jeans, as I said a few days ago, once my back was turned, ‘oh why is he wearing them?’”
Vernon seemed irritated that Tess’ colleagues had been gossiping about his sense of style, as he exclaimed: “I’m like, how dare you? How dare you be two-faced?
Tess Daly is set to spend more time with her husband Vernon Kay when she leaves Strictly(Image: Instagram)
“If you don’t like them, say it to my face, just say it! I’m a grown man, I’ll go back to the car and wind my windows up and then I’ll cry! But, you know, I can take it, I like them.”
Explaining the appeal, former model Vernon, who is over six foot, revealed the trousers are the perfect length for his tall frame.
He added: “The thing about the baggy trousers is, they’re a long enough leg, you know what I mean? They’re a 34/36 inch leg, which is pretty decent for me.”
In a previous description of the jeans, Vernon likened the bagginess to an “80s pair of women’s culottes”, but noted that he liked them regardless, as they’re “very airy”.
