I’m happy I made Tess and our two girls proud
Vernon’s joy over I’m A Celeb final
I’M A Celebrity star Vernon Kay has told how he was inspired to make it to the final by his “amazing” wife Tess Daly.
Vernon said Strictly host Tess, who he married 17 years ago, was key to his success in the ITV castle.
Vernon – embroiled in a sexting scandal a decade ago – called Tess after finishing third in Friday’s final and had a conversation he says he “will never forget”.
And the former Family
Fortunes host hopes his reality show success will be a springboard to getting more time with his megastar wife
– on joint TV projects.
Calling her “one of the most dedicated presenters ever”, he said pairing up with her in the future “would be a dream”.
Vernon, 46, was being cheered on by their daughters Phoebe, 16, and Amber, 11. He said of Tess: “She was so proud. Phoebe literally told me everything that had gone on in camp.
“Tess said all three were through the roof when I got into the final.
“That is a conversation I will never forget because it reassured me of the reasons I went in – to make the girls proud. It reassured me I’d done that. And Tess was just elated.
“I saw what she’d done on social media, she’s worked her socks off. She has been amazing.”
Vernon was reunited with Tess, 51, yesterday after she got home from hosting BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
Tess revealed in a post online she had stocked up on Vernon’s favourite goodies – after he lost nearly three stone surviving on rice and beans. But while first on their agenda was to decorate the Christmas tree, Vernon admitted: “I’ve got a funny feeling there might be champagne involved.”
Vernon said being on the show had “exceeded all expectations”.
Praising winner Giovanna Fletcher, Vernon said: “She’s an amazing lady. She’s had No 1 selling books, her podcast is massive. She’s a whirlwind.”
Gi, 35, said: “I’ve laughed so, so much. It’s been more than I ever thought. I didn’t flinch at anything.”
And Radio 1 DJ Jordan North, 30, who came second, added: “It’s made me braver and stronger.”
DELIGHT Vernon leaves the castle