Tess Daly, 51, was back on hand to host another edition of Strictly Come Dancing as the competition is just weeks away from its Grand Final. For the past few weeks, the BBC presenter has been separated from her husband Vernon, 46, as it was revealed earlier this month he was going to be taking part in this year’s series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! which has been relocated to Gwrych Castle in Wales. The mother-of-two rarely speaks about her other half on television, making her comments on Saturday night even more surprising.
The moment came as Tess’ co-host Claudia Winkleman, 48, had just finished speaking with contestants Ranvir Singh, 43, and Giovanni Pernice, 30.
Teasing what was to come, the comedic Strictly star explained former Royal Marine JJ Chalmers, 33, was going to be doing a routine based around the Scottish Highlands.
“I am taking you there for our honeymoon,” she joked to her fellow presenter before the mother-of-two then brought her husband into the conversation.
Not expecting to talk about her other half, the anchor of the programme remarked: “Vernon’s away. I’m in.”
Of course, this was in reference to him still taking part in the ITV reality and it is usually stated in the rules that BBC stars don’t reference their rival broadcaster on air.
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It might have been a brief comment, but it didn’t go unnoticed by those watching at home who flocked to social media and launched into meltdown over the presenter almost breaking the rules.
One envious viewer wrote on Twitter: “Tess reminding me she’s the one married to Vernon and not me #Strictly.”
Another added: “‘Vernon’s away’ – I’m old enough to feel a genuine frisson of excitement that Tess has alluded to ITV *while on prime-time BBC1* #Strictly.”
Whilst a third commented: “Tess letting us know Vernon is in the Castle Strictly,” a fourth shared: “Tess mentioning Vernon being away on Strictly but not mentioning I’m A Celeb cause she’s on the BBC #imacelebrity #imaceleb #Strictly.”
Seen eating a slice of pizza and wearing a black, silk robe after finishing her duties on Strictly, the presenter wrote: “From one show to another. @I’mACelebrity @VernonKay.”
Tess has also been ushering her support for Vernon by posting pictures of the pair on her social media channels.
On Saturday evening, the television stalwart reposted a clip of her other half showing off some of his dancing skills.
It seems she was is very proud of her husband as she has also posted short snippets of him talking about her with his fellow campmates.
Fans of the pair have been lapping up the husband and wife being on-screen at the same time, with one replying to Tess’ posts on Instagram: “We need Vernon back on the television more.
“Could Vernon be a Strictly contestant or is that a conflict of interest? Don’t know,” a second wrote to the presenter.
A third posted: “Think Strictly has got competition,” whilst a fourth fan remarked: “Power couple for life.”
Whilst a fifth shared of the couple: “Have always loved you two, @vernonkay is our winner, blessings always.”
Strictly Come Dancing continues tonight at 7:25pm on BBC One. I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here continues tonight at 9pm on ITV.