Tess Daly wanted to be 'selfish' and have a 'grown-up gap year', it was claimed just a day before her split from Vernon Kay. 

The former Strictly Come Dancing host, 57, who quit her coveted role on the BBC programme after years of prioritising her work, is said to be 'desperate to see the world' after 21 years on the show. 

Tess announced her heartbreaking choice to split from Vernon, 52, on Friday following 23 years of marriage, admitting they agonised over the decision. 

They insist that the split is amicable and that they will continue to be supportive parents to their daughters Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16. 

Just one day prior, sources told of how Tess hoped to go away 'for a whole year' but Vernon would only be able to travel for a few weeks given his work commitments. 

They said: 'Tess always put Vernon and the girls first and now she wants to be a bit selfish and make the most of their situation and her new-found freedom.'

The source added to Closer magazine: 'She has been working since her teens and never really got to do all the travelling. She feels she's missed out even though she knows how lucky she is.

'Vernon says they couldn’t really do a whole year as he has his Radio 2 show, but he likes the idea of jetting off for weeks at a time, then coming home.'

However, in a heartbreaking statement, released on Friday, the two revealed they had decided to split after 'much consideration, and a deep sense of care and respect for one another'. 

Tess and Vernon also confirmed that the decision to separate was made 'amicably' and that 'no other parties' had been involved in the move. 

'This has not been an easy choice, but it comes from a place of mutual understanding and a shared desire of what is best for both of us,' they said. 

'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.'

The couple, who also have a joint deal as food ambassadors for Marks and Spencer, live together in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, regularly posting together on Instagram.

Friends of the couple expressed their shock at their split, with one remarking how they 'did not see it coming'. They added: 'It’s very, very sad.’

Their split will stun their fans as they have been regarded as one of the strongest marriages in show business despite Vernon cheating on Tess back in 2010 when he was caught ‘sexting’ Page 3 model Rhian Sugden.

Tess, 57, was left devastated after learning Vernon had been messaging Ms Sugden after meeting her in a nightclub in his home town of Bolton.

While they didn’t have a sexual relationship, the former Strictly presenter was left distraught. 

However, she fought to save their relationship and was able to move on from his misdemeanour.

Ms Sugden later spoke out about the scandal in a Channel 4 documentary, Page Three: The Naked Truth, where she said: ‘He just got away with it. It ruined everything for me.

‘I felt like I was going up and up with my career, and then that came along. I wish I’d never met him. 

'He got to give an apology on the radio and just got to carry on, with Family Fortunes, ironically. It still makes me feel sick.’

Vernon was a regular at Strictly, the show that his wife had hosted since it launched in 2004, and was spotted at the Elstree Studios several times during last year’s series.