Vernon Kay breaks his silence: Presenter thanks fans for ‘well wishes’ as he speaks for the first time about split from Tess Daly after 23 years of marriage

Vernon Kay broke his silence about his split from wife Tess Daly on his radio show on Monday, after being seen for the first time since it was announced.

The couple announced their shock split on Friday, admitting they were pained by the decision but determined to continue supporting their daughters Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16.

Speaking on the Radio Two programme, he thanked well-wishers for their support and said: ‘On behalf of myself and Tess I just want to say; 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 couple announced their shock split on Friday, admitting they were pained by the decision but determined to continue supporting their daughters Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16.

The star was hiding a small smile following the shocking news about the end of their 23-year marriage.

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.

‘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.

Now Vernon and Tess have allegedly posted the joint statement on Instagram while cheering on champagne at their shared mansion.

The star was hiding a small smile as she headed to the studio in London following the news that their 23-year marriage had ended.

It is not known how Vernon will refer to this separation after the showbiz couple’s joint statement was released.

‘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.

They started dating after meeting in 2001 and Vernon proposed on Christmas Day the following year (a photo taken in their younger days)

Vernon spent time with his daughter Phoebe over the weekend

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.

‘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.

The couple announced their shock split on Friday, admitting they were pained by the decision but determined to remain supportive parents to daughters Phoebe and Amber.

‘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.

The couple started dating in the early 2000s, when Tess was hosting the SMTV children’s show and Vernon was a model trying to become a television presenter.

They were widely seen as a cheerful, carefree duo; They had a VW camper van as their wedding car when they married at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Horwich.

They were considered one of the strongest marriages in showbiz, despite Vernon being caught ‘having sex’ with model Rhian Sugden in 2010.

Tess was devastated to discover Vernon had been messaging Rhian, 39, after meeting her at a nightclub in Bolton.