The new series of Strictly Come Dancing is just around the corner and, according to Vernon Kay, Tess Daly is loving being its host more than ever.
Tess has been presenting the show since 2004, first alongside Sir Bruce Forsyth and now co-presenting with Claudia Winkleman.
The 53-year-old has seen many celebs waltz and tango across the famous Strictly dancefloor over the years, from politicians to movie stars.
Now, she’s gearing up for the likes of Matt Goss, Fleur East, Kym Marsh, and Helen Skelton to get their spray tans and don their sequins when Strictly returns in a matter of weeks.
Hubby Vernon, 48, has insisted that she wants to keep presenting the show until she’s in her 80s, much like late co-host Sir Bruce did, who stepped down when he was 86.
Vernon told The Sun: ‘Strictly was probably one of the first shows to embrace two women as the main anchors of a huge Saturday night entertainment show.
‘We’ve seen Ant and Dec for decades double-heading a show and I don’t think two women had done that before on such a large scale. As far as prime time entertainment shows go, Claudia and Tess really broke the mould.’
The former All Star Family Fortunes presenter added that Strictly is like ‘a third child’ to him and Tess, who have daughters Phoebe, 17, and Amber, 13, together.
He said: ‘Tess started the show in its infancy — its first ever series when it was just a wee baby.
‘Then we had our first baby and subsequently we had Amber, so we’ve grown up with it as like a family member. It sleeps for the majority of the year, but come August, when they start prepping outfits and talking about contestants, that’s when that baby comes alive.’
Not only is the show set to make a dazzling return to our screens this month, but Strictly will also be heading back to Blackpool for the first time since the pandemic hit.
Yes, after a two-year break, the glitzy dancing competition will cha cha cha back to Blackpool Tower following the ballroom’s shiny new overhaul, with plenty of memorable routines sure to grace the floor.
Other changes for the new series include Anton Du Beke officially joining the judging panel and replacing Bruno Tonioli, sitting alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and head judge Shirley Ballas once more.
Other celebs making up the line-up include Paralympian Ellie Simmonds, comedian Ellie Taylor, CBBC presenter Molly Rainford, and Loose Women’s Kaye Adams.
Srictly Come Dancing is set to launch on Saturday September 17 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.