Tess Daly’s departure from Strictly could give the presenter the chance to finally head across the pond with her family as they try to further their careers in America.
The presenter’s husband Vernon Kay previously tried to crack the US and has expressed his desires to return.
Last year Vernon admitted he was too ‘inexperienced’ the first time around but now fancies another chance.
He told Annie MacManus on her podcast Changes: ‘Well, flippantly, I’d like another crack at America because I think I messed up. I did three network shows for America.
‘I wouldn’t say I messed that up. I think looking back, I was inexperienced.’
He added: ‘I think, knowing, being more confident in myself and the way I work, I’d like another go at a game show in America. That’s a big change’.
Tess Daly’s departure from Strictly could allow husband Vernon Kay the opportunity to crack America again as its rumoured Claudia Winkleman is ‘eyeing up spot in Hollywood’
Claudia and Tess’s departure was confirmed on Thursday on their respective social media platforms, which both included a video of the pair announcing their decision to step down
The star explained he has had three presenting ventures in the USA in the past, two with ABC, and one with NBC.
‘They lasted a series. If you want a laugh, go on YouTube and watch a game show I hosted called the Million Dollar Mind Game.
‘It’s basically me doing an impression of Roger Moore.’
And this summer he told a listener on his BBC Radio 2 show his plans to return as he advised them to travel in a campervan.
He said: ‘I think the best thing to do, if you’ve got time, is hire a campervan, you know what I mean? Do that thing.
‘I know you work for the NHS, so time off is very sparse, but if you do get the chance, we’re going to do it, because like you said there’s so much of America you want to see, that’s not necessarily included in a package holiday.’
The Daily Mail have contacted both Tess and Vernon’s representatives for comment.
Meanwhile Tess’s co-host Claudia is also reportedly eyeing up a spot in Hollywood to continue her TV career.
Last year Vernon admitted he was too ‘inexperienced’ the first time around but now fancies another chance
BBC insiders have claimed ‘America is calling’ for Claudia to move across the pond and launch her career in the US (pictured on The Traitors)
BBC insiders have claimed ‘America is calling’ for the presenter to move across the pond and launch her career in the US.
It could be tempting for The Traitors star, 53, because her film producer husband Kris Thykier and children already spend time in the big apple so they will actually get to spent more time together.
A BBC insider told The i Paper: ‘Claudia has been talking about moving on for some time. She and Tess got the show through the 20th anniversary series which was against the backdrop of bullying claims.
‘America is calling for Claudia. Her children are older and her husband (film producer Kris Thykier) already spends a lot of time in Hollywood.’
Daily Mail contacted Claudia’s representatives and the BBC for comment.
Steven D Wright, a former Channel 4 entertainment producer, told the publication: ‘The Traitors has become such a big hit, she is almost being held back by Strictly. She could be offered a mega gig by Netflix and go to the US.’
Co-stars Claudia and Tess’s departure was confirmed on Thursday morning on their respective social media platforms, which both included a video of the pair announcing their decision to step down.
Speaking to the camera, Claudia began: ‘There have been some rumblings and we want you to hear this from us.’
Tess chimed in: ‘We have news, after 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly, we have decided that the time is right to step aside and pass over the baton.’
‘The very sparkly baton!’ Claudia laughed, before turning to her co-star and pal to add: ‘You’ve been here since the beginning.’
Tess replied, pointing to Claudia: ‘With Bruce, lovely Bruce [Forsyth], and that was over two decades ago but a lot of the time has been with you.
‘It’s been a huge part of our lives since our children were literally babes in arms, and now they’re adults, and I think genuinely we have cherished every second.’
Claudia continued: ‘We have, we’re so lucky to have been part of this amazing show and we just want to thank the Strictly team, because Strictly is the people who make it.’
The duo penned under the video: ‘We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream.
‘We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time. We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show.
‘They’re the most brilliant team and we’ll miss them every day. We will cry when we say the last “keep dancing” but we will continue to say it to each other.
‘Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza.’
In her own statement, Tess added: ‘After 21 unforgettable years, the time has come to say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing.
Co-stars Claudia and Tess ‘s departure was confirmed on Thursday morning on their respective social media platforms, which both included a video of the pair announcing their decision to step down
The presenting pair penned an emotional message to their fans under the clip
Tess previously presented the BBC One show alongside Bruce Forsyth before Claudia joined her as a permanent co-host in 2014
‘It’s hard to put it into words what this show has meant to me, so here goes…
‘Strictly has been more than just a television programme, it’s felt like having a third child, a second family, and a huge part of my life since that first show back in 2004.
‘I knew then it was something special, but I could never have imagined the magic it would bring.
‘Strictly has always been about joy, celebration, and bringing people together, and I’m so proud to have played a small part in something that continues to mean so much to so many.
‘I have always been in awe of our superbly talented professional dancers, our magnificent judges, and all the celebrities who have taken part.
‘I absolutely adore our brilliant crew, every single member of the Strictly team who have worked so tirelessly to make this show what it is.
‘Thank you for the laughter, the friendship, the countless memories over all these years. You’ve filled my heart in ways I’ll never forget. I’ll miss you all so much.
‘And to you, the viewers at home, the biggest thank you of all, thank you for welcoming us into your homes for over two decades.
‘To my beloved Claud, what an absolute joy and pleasure it has been sharing this adventure with you. You’re one of a kind, and I’ll treasure every giggle, every live show, and every backstage moment we’ve shared.
‘This isn’t a goodbye to glitter, sequins or Saturday night sparkle (I could never say goodbye to those!). Strictly will forever hold a special place in my heart, but it does feel like the right time to hand over the reins.’
Claudia went on to post a series of behind-the-scenes snaps of her and Tess working together on the show as she too paid tribute to her time on the series.
She penned: ‘It’s very difficult to put into words exactly what Strictly has meant to me. It’s been the greatest relationship of my career.
‘From working on It Takes Two in 2004 until now it has been my everything, the show I will be eternally grateful for.
The duo explained to fans of the BBC One series they ‘were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time’ to ‘pass the baton’
‘I will never forget Len Goodman trying to teach me what a cucaracha is (I still don’t know) and the complete thrill and honour it was to work with Tess on the results show to cohosting on Saturday nights.
‘Strictly is a magical, glittery, fake tanned train and it’s been a privilege to be a tiny part of it.
‘The extraordinary talent of the dancers, the band, the hair and makeup and costume teams, the unbelievable production crew and creatives – all utterly amazing.
‘I’ve always believed it’s best to leave a party before you’re fully ready to go and I know the new hosts will be magnificent, I look forward to watching them take Strictly to new heights.
‘As for Tess – I’m so so lucky I got to stand next to you. You’re funny, kind, whip smart and a true friend and I love you.’
Despite Claudia being seen as the sidekick for the past 11 years, the presenter’s stock has rocketed since enjoying success on fellow BBC1 show The Traitors, plus new spin-off Celebrity Traitors, and according to some, is keen to explore opportunities away from Strictly.
Indeed, she has been heavily linked with a switch to ITV, which would offer significantly more money than her reported £150,000 a year deal to front Strictly with her co-host.
Having made her intentions clear to Tess, the former model decided to remain loyal to their pact of leaving together, believing she had “served her time” on the show.
In recent years, Tess has made several hints about passing on the baton in regards to being main host, while Claudia revealed she encountered awkward conversations with Strictly bosses about the show’s clashes with family life, namely taking her son to university to kickstart his first year away from home.
A show insider told the Daily Mail: ‘Claudia has been around the block for a long time but since The Traitors, she’s moved up a level and is more in-demand than ever.
‘There’s been talk of some very interesting projects which she simply can’t commit to because of Strictly, as it takes up a third of the year, so she felt that to maximise her ambition, she had to leave Strictly.
‘Leaving the show has been on Tess’s mind for a few years but Claudia leaning towards leaving made it an easier decision.’
The Daily Mail’s Katie Hind and Alison Boshoff reveal more exclusive details about the real reason behind their exit in the Mail+ article. Read it here.
The insider added: ‘They always had a pact to leave together and they wanted to adhere to that. They come as a pair, when it comes to Strictly, so going out together made perfect sense.’
