Tess Daly and Vernon Kay announced on Friday evening that the pair had gone their separate ways. In a joint statement, shared on Instagram, it read: "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. We will not be making any further public comments. Tess and Vernon."

Tess and Vernon first crossed paths in 2001 while working together on Top of the Pops@Play, a short-lived spin-off of the beloved music institution.

It has since emerged that the couple, who are parents to Phoebe, 21, and 16-year-old Amber, are coping well despite the heartbreaking news and remain on good terms with one another, as the reason behind their split has been revealed.

Insiders claimed the couple had simply "grown apart" in recent years.

A source close to the pair told The Mirror: "Vernon and Tess have been talking about it for a while, but no one has moved out yet. It is all very amicable.

"They are both in a really good place about the decision, and given they are splitting up, it is remarkably friendly at the moment. The truth is they've just grown apart."

The remarks follow Tess and former I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! star Vernon taking to social media to release a joint statement confirming the news themselves.

Towards the close of last year, Tess, alongside former co-host Claudia Winkleman, chose to step down from Strictly Come Dancing after a number of years fronting the BBC's cherished Saturday night staple. Their successor has yet to be announced, though in February, Tess and Vernon shared a screen together for the first time in nearly two decades, co-presenting an episode of The One Show.

The pair rarely discuss their personal lives, yet shortly after Tess departed Strictly, Vernon appeared firmly supportive of his wife, acknowledging that they would continue to tune in to the programme.

At the time, he told the Radio Times: "Yeah, of course! It's iconic, and it's in our family's DNA, it really is. So it holds a special place in both of our hearts and the kids as well.

"Phoebe and Amber absolutely love it, and we're going to miss it. We're going to miss it, but it's still there. It's not gone, it's not vanished. We'll still be watching, we'll still be dialled in. We'll still be in the Star Bar after the show and enjoying it because it is the best show on UK TV."