Tess Daly and Vernon Kay announce shock split

After 22 years of marriage, TV presenters Tess Daly and Vernon Kay have announced they've split.

Releasing a joint statement on social media on the evening of Friday 8th May, the pair wrote: 'After much consideration, and with a deep sense of care and respect for one another, we have made the decision to separate amicably.

'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.

'We remain great friends and most importantly, fully committed to our roles as loving and supportive parents, which will always be our priority.

'There are no other parties involved in this decision.

'We kindly ask for privacy during this time as we navigate this transition together'.

The couple got married back in 2003 and share two daughters together, 16-year-old Amber and 21-year-old Phoebe.

The news comes after Tess announced she would be leaving her hosting role on Strictly Come Dancing last year, after a huge 21 years.

She wrote: '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 it goes...

'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'.

Tess also released a joint video with co-host and best friend Claudia Winkleman, with the pair saying: "We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream.

"We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time.

"We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show. They’re the most brilliant team and we’ll miss them every day.

"We will cry when we say the last “keep dancing” but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza."

In recent months, Tess hosted The One Show alongside husband Vernon, with fans even asking bosses to hire them as permanent hosts.