Rhian Sugden is seen for the first time since Vernon Kay and Tess Daly announced their split – 16 years on from her ‘sexting scandal’ with the BBC Radio 2 star
Rhian Sugden was spotted running errands in Manchester on Monday for the first time since Vernon Kay and Tess Daly announced their split.
News of the couple’s shock split comes 16 years after Vernon’s ‘sex scandal’ with former glamor model Rhian, 39.
Cutting a casual figure, she wore an oversized white tee and bright red jogger pants, with the tall brunette tied in the back.
Rhian, who is currently married to Oliver Mellor, with whom she shares two-year-old son George, appeared make-up free and wore eye-catching glasses.
Vernon, 52, and Tess, 57, announced their shock split on Friday, admitting they were pained by the decision but determined to remain supportive parents to daughters Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16.
In 2010, Vernon was forced to make a public apology to Tess on BBC Radio 1 after a series of ‘saucy messages’ sent to Rhian emerged.
Rhian Sugden was spotted running errands in Manchester on Monday for the first time since Vernon Kay and Tess Daly announced their split.
News of the couple’s shock split comes 16 years after Vernon’s ‘sex scandal’ with famous model Rhian, 39 (Rhian withdrew in 2010)
Vernon, 52, and Tess, 57, announced their shock split on Friday, admitting they were pained by the decision but determined to remain supportive parents.
In 2020, Rhian claimed her “sex scandal” with the Radio 2 DJ ruined her career and lamented the fact she “got away with it” after apologizing.
She said Vernon’s subsequent return to presenting duties still made her ‘sickened’ and that she wished she had never met him.
Vernon vowed on-air to no longer contact Rhian or the four other women he was caught messaging at the time.
After the scandal, he continued to host his radio show and present All Star Family Fortunes.
He later spoke about the scandal in the Channel 4 documentary Page Three: The Naked Truth, saying: ‘He got away with it. It ruined everything for me.
‘I felt like I was getting higher and higher in my career and then this came along. I wish I had never met him.
‘He had to apologize on the radio and ironically went on to do Family Fortunes. ‘This still makes me feel sick.’
Earlier in the day, Vernon broke his silence about the split on a BBC Radio 2 show and was seen heading to the studio in central London for the first time.
Cutting a relaxed figure, she wore an oversized white tee and bright red joggers, and the tall brunette wore a tie-back.
Rhian, who is currently married to Oliver Mellor, with whom she shares two-year-old son George, appeared make-up free and wore striking glasses.
In 2010, Vernon was forced to make a public apology to Tess on BBC Radio 1 after a series of ‘saucy messages’ sent to Rhian emerged.
Earlier in the day, Vernon broke his silence about the split on his BBC Radio 2 show and was seen heading to the studio in central London for the first time (filmed on Monday)
Thanking well-wishers for their support, he said: ‘I just want to say this on behalf of myself and Tess; Thank you, thank you for all your well wishes, they are much appreciated.’
Before speaking on the programme, she was first seen flashing a small smile as she headed to her London studio.
They allegedly posted their Instagram captions while cheering champagne at their shared mansion over the weekend.
The Mirror said the pair put on a ‘classy front’ about their split, so the flamboyant tone marked the end of their time together.
Despite going separate romantic paths, the couple – who still live together on the same property – are keen to take the next steps in their lives.
A source close to the pair told the publication: ‘After releasing the statement, Vernon and Tess took some time to toast each other and their future.
‘They just want the best for each other and their families. There was no major fallout, more of us slowly drifting apart and wanting different things.
In 2020, Rhian claimed her “sex scandal” with the Radio 2 DJ ruined her career and lamented the fact she “got away with it” after apologizing.
She said Vernon’s subsequent return to presenting duties still made her ‘sickened’ and that she wished she had never met him.
Vernon vowed live on air to no longer contact Rhian or the four other women he was caught texting at the time.
‘They promised to remain friends and keep things classy when it comes to the breakup and their future interviews. They just want the best for each other.’
They began dating after meeting in 2001, and Vernon would pop the question on Christmas Day the following year.
Recalling their first encounter, he told The Telegraph: ‘He didn’t know anyone but me because we were working together that day; He saw me in the crowd and we laughed.
‘I was immediately struck by Tess’ independence and that has never changed.’
The couple went on to marry the following September in Horwich, near where Vernon grew up in Lancashire.
It comes after a source told the Daily Mail’s Katie Hind that the couple were living separate lives before splitting.
They said: ‘They are actually living separate lives unintentionally. They don’t do much together anymore, they have different interests and hobbies.
‘They grew up apart. They accepted this and decided that life would be better if they separated.’
On Friday the pair released a joint statement saying they had reached a mutual agreement to go their separate ways, but friends of the couple said they were both still at their marital home in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.
The couple wrote: ‘After much consideration, we have decided to part amicably, with a deep sense of concern and respect for each other.
‘This has not been an easy choice, but it comes from a mutual understanding and shared desire for what is best for both of us.
Now Vernon and Tess have allegedly posted the joint statement on Instagram while cheering on champagne at their shared mansion.
‘We remain great friends and most importantly, we are fully committed to our roles as loving and supportive parents, which will always be our priority.
‘There is no other party that agrees with this decision. We request confidentiality during this period.
‘We will be making no further public comment.’
Tess and Vernon, thought to be worth around £10 million, were last seen together in February this year when they hosted an episode of The One Show. They are also food ambassadors for Marks & Spencer.
Friends of the duo, who met while presenting Top Of The Pops@Play in 2001, were stunned to learn the news.
One of them said: ‘I was stunned when Vernon told me, I didn’t see this coming, no one saw it. ‘This will take some getting used to.’
But while it may have come as a surprise to outsiders, sources close to Tess and Vernon say they spent a “significant” time coming to the decision.
Their two daughters, Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16, were ‘fully involved’ in the conversations.
‘Tess and Vernon are really happy now,’ says a friend. ‘For now they still live together, but this will of course change in the near future…
‘The girls were a big part of the decision. They had grown apart, just as different as when they first met…
‘They accepted this and decided that life would be better if they separated. They’re both in their 50s, they have a lot of time left, and they decided they’d be happier if they weren’t together, so they did. Everything is very, very friendly.
‘They have been through so much together, so many happy moments.
‘They’ve been laughing for over twenty years and are immensely proud of their daughter, but they know it’s best to separate.’
Sources say it is understood there was no third party involved and divorce lawyers have not yet been instructed, but the plan is to do so in the future.
