Tess Daly, the renowned presenter of Strictly Come Dancing, has captivated audiences since she was 17 years old. The 55-year-old television personality, who is married to Vernon Kay, initially entered the entertainment industry as a model after being spotted outside a McDonald’s in Manchester while accompanying her sister. However, Tess did not always go by that name. Surprisingly, ‘Tess’ is not her birth name, but a stage name she adopted at the start of her modelling career.
Born in 1969 as Helen Elizabeth Daly, Tess transitioned to using the name ‘Tess’ when she ventured into modelling, keeping her birth name out of respect for her parents, Vivian and Sylvia. The reason behind her name change dates back to when she began her career at 17 and encountered another Helen Davies at her agency. To avoid confusion, her agent suggested she switch to a different name, leading to the choice of ‘Tess’ inspired by actress Nastassja Kinski from the film Tess.
Despite embracing the name ‘Tess’ professionally, Tess Daly never officially changed her name, preferring to maintain her birth name in honour of her parents. Only her mother, Vivian, occasionally calls her ‘Helen,’ with Tess admitting that it sometimes takes her a moment to respond to that name. Tess has expressed that altering her name legally would feel disrespectful towards her parents, a sentiment she holds dear.
In 2003, Tess Daly and her husband Vernon Kay, known for his work on T4 and T4 On The Beach, tied the knot under her birth name. The couple exchanged vows in a picturesque ceremony held in Vernon’s hometown of Bolton on September 12, 2003, and have since joyfully raised two daughters, Phoebe and Amber. Recently, they celebrated their daughter Phoebe’s A-level results with a lavish gathering at Manchester’s Ivy Asia in Spinningfields, commemorating her academic accomplishments with delight.
As Tess continues to grace television screens as the presenter of Strictly Come Dancing in the 2024 season, she has candidly shared her reflections on ageing. Despite maintaining a youthful appearance at 55, Tess acknowledged experiencing a moment of realisation regarding the natural process of ageing. While she has not undergone cosmetic surgery, Tess follows a dedicated skincare routine and invests in skin treatments like Ultratherapy to uphold her youthful glow.
In a conversation with Closer, Tess disclosed her “oh my god” moment upon noticing signs of ageing, including wrinkles. Embracing the changes that come with getting older, Tess emphasised the importance of acceptance. Despite the occasional shock of seeing signs of ageing, she remains dedicated to caring for her skin with meticulous attention, opting for minimal makeup even on television. Tess’s approach to ageing reflects her commitment to self-care and embracing the journey of getting older gracefully.