STORY SO FAR: Tess Daly

A household name thanks to Strictly Come Dancing (6.30pm, BBC1), Tess has been co-presenting the show since it began, back in 2004. Here’s how she rose to fame…

Pretty smart: Born in Stockport, Greater Manchester, in 1969, Helen Elizabeth ‘Tess’ Daly grew up in Birch Vale, Derbyshire. At the age of 17, after achieving nine O levels, she was spotted by a model agency scout in Manchester while waiting for her sister, Karen. She spent the next few years travelling the world as a successful model; in 1990, she even appeared in two Duran Duran videos.

Big break(fast): While living in New York, a friend encouraged her to try her hand at interviewing celebrities on the red carpet. In 2000, producers on Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast saw her showreel, and hired her to host a modelling competition; it was to be the start of a stream of presenting jobs,

working on shows such as SM:TV Live, Back To Reality and Make Me A Supermodel.

Dancing queen: In 2004, she was invited to present a new dance competition on the BBC; she co-hosted Strictly with Bruce Forsyth until his retirement, and since 2014, Tess has been paired with Claudia Winkleman. Now one of TV’s most recognisable faces, she is also a regular presenter of Children In Need. And another thing: Now 48, Tess has written two novels – The Camera Never Lies (2011) and It’s Up To You New York

(2013). In 2003, she married fellow presenter Vernon Kay – the pair co-hosted Just The Two Of Us (2006-07). They have two daughters – Phoebe, 13 and Amber, eight – and live in Buckinghamshire.