Tess Daly confessed family struggle that ‘almost brought me to my knees’ just days before Strictly departure
Tess Daly opened up about a difficult time in her family life with Vernon Kay, just days before she announced she’s leaving her presenting role of Strictly Come Dancing
Tess Daly with her husband Vernon Kay(Image: Lia Toby, Getty Images for the NTA’s)
Tess Daly, the longtime Strictly Come Dancing presenter who revealed today that she’s stepping away from the BBC show, has recently spoken openly about a familiar family challenge. The 56-year-old shared her honest reflections on the early days of motherhood, describing how sleep deprivation took its toll.
Together with her husband, BBC Radio 2 host Vernon Kay, Daly has two daughters, Phoebe, 21, who often joins her parents at public events and Amber, 15, who prefers to keep a lower profile.
Speaking openly about motherhood on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast with Giovanna Fletcher earlier this month, Tess revealed that her eldest daughter didn’t sleep “for years.”
“She didn’t sleep for three and a half years, she just kept waking up. She’d wake up two or three times a night and then she’d go through the phase of being a toddler, so I’d hear her little feet coming down the hallway at night, knocking on the door,” Tess explained.
She fondly recalled how Phoebe eventually discovered that the baby monitor could double as a communication device, remarking: “Hi, I’m awake, can I have a bottle?’ Like it was room service.”
“It took about three and half years before she slept through the night. It was rough, I remember going to work sometimes, and I remember being so tired because I hadn’t sleep,” she added.
Vernon and Tess share two daughters together; Phoebe and Amber (Phoebe pictured) (Image: Dave Benett, Dave Benett/ Getty Images for Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop)
Remembering a time she had to dash to the studio straight from her Strictly dressing room, she stated: “Honestly, [I remember thinking] ‘I’ve got to psych myself up now to get off this sofa because I can’t physically stand up’. I don’t mean, ‘Woah me, poor me’, but it was sometimes really tough because being up all night and then having to go to work was hard.
“Being up three or four times a night, it was rough,” she echoed. “She’s a dream now, she sleeps beautifully!”.
When their second daughter was born, Tess explained that she adopted a strict “no tolerance” approach to sleep routines. “I just knew I couldn’t go through that again,” she admitted.
Fortunately, Tess had nothing to worry about as their youngest “slept for 12 hours through the night like a little angel” from just three months old.
Tess Daly has quit Strictly after 21 years(Image: BBC)
Tess shared her experience of motherhood just days before revealing her decision to leave Strictly Come Dancing after 21 years, the Mirror reports.
In a detailed statement posted on her Instagram page, she stated: “After 21 unforgettable years, the time has come to say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing.
“It’s hard to put into words what this show has meant to me, so here goes…
“Strictly has been more than just a television programme. It’s felt like having a third child, a second family, and a huge part of my life since that very first show back in 2004. I knew then it was something special, but I could never have imagined the magic it would bring.
“Strictly has always been about joy, celebration, and bringing people together — and I’m so proud to have played a small part in something that continues to mean so much to so many.”
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the show together for over a decade(Image: Instagram )
Reflecting fondly on her 11 years co-hosting with Claudia Winkleman, who has also stepped away from the show, she added: “To my beloved Claud – what an absolute joy and pleasure it has been sharing this adventure with you.
“You’re one of a kind, and l’ll treasure every giggle, every live show, and every backstage moment we’ve shared. I’m so grateful to have you as my friend for life.
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“This isn’t a goodbye to glitter, sequins, or Saturday night sparkle (I could never say goodbye to those!).
“Strictly will forever hold a special place in my heart — but it does feel like the right time to hand over the reins. With all my love and endless gratitude, Tess x.”
