ADAPTING AS HER ELDEST FLIES THE NEST TESS DALY ON WHY BEING A MUM ALWAYS COMES FIRST

Tess Daly is known for her 20-year career as one of the UK’s best-loved TV presenters, bringing both glamour and warmth to our screens.

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Away from the camera, however, she says her “most treasured role” is being mum to teenage daughters Phoebe, 19, and Amber, 15, alongside fellow TV star husband Vernon Kay. “I love being a mum,” she says.

Tess, 55, recently waved off their eldest when Phoebe left home to start university, and it hit her hard.

“I remember silently sobbing all the way back down the motorway, because she’s my baby, my firstborn. I’m her best friend, really. It broke my heart,” she says.

Here, Tess – who, when we offer her a copy of hello!, tells us she’s already bought the magazine to take on a weekend work trip – opens up about her life on and off camera.

Tess, the sun has finally arrived. Do you have holiday plans with your family?

“Yes, we’re going away in Europe. In summer, I tend to go somewhere quite close; I’m not a huge fan of flying. I love the fact that there’s guaranteed sunshine on our doorstep and lots of gorgeous places to go.

“I can’t imagine going on holiday without my family. I think they’ll still be coming with us for years.”

Your daughter Phoebe is now at university. How has the transition been for you?

“I remember when she first went, with all her bags and her first frying pan… a plate for one, knife and fork for one. I was heartbroken just dropping her off and waving goodbye.

“But it was fine, because she was back after a couple of weeks, visiting. She comes back quite regularly.”