Inside Tess and Vernons Tense Resort Split

Gazing out at the sunset with their toes in the white sand, they looked like any other well-to-do middle-aged couple enjoying precious time with their adult daughters.

But as the sun dipped below the Caribbean Sea, there was something amiss about this picture of family harmony.

Since arriving at the hotel in Jamaica, it was one of the few times I had seen both parents together – and even then, there was it seemed to me a noticeable distance between them, with one of their daughters squarely in the middle.

It was not the united front I might have expected from TV’s golden couple, and , whose marriage had long been considered one of the most enduring in British showbusiness.

At least that was until last week, when the outgoing presenter and the Radio 2 host announced they were separating after 23 years together.

The news came as a shock to friends of the pair, many insisting they ‘didn’t see it coming’. But after observing them on holiday last month, I can’t say I was surprised.

The Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios is no stranger to an A-list crowd. Meghan Markle held her first wedding there and it’s hosted all manner of writers and celebrities from Ian Fleming to Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller.

But when, on day two of my Easter break, I spotted Vernon, 52, sitting alone at the beachside restaurant, I’ll admit I did a double take.

Later, I caught sight of Tess strolling on the beach with their two daughters, Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 18.

But what shocked me was that the couple hardly appeared together during their holiday.

On another occasion I was relaxing on the sand when Tess, 57, splashed by on a paddleboard – alone. At the time, I admired her strength and athletic poise. Now with hindsight, I realise that she cut rather a lonely figure.

And far from being relaxed during her time in this Caribbean paradise, the Strictly presenter seemed to me to be tense and irritable.

Now, given last week’s announcement, I can’t help but wonder if the upcoming news of her separation was playing on Tess’s mind.

Their week-long Caribbean getaway coincided with the release of Tess’s latest launch for her swimwear line, NAIA Beach.

It quickly became apparent that the panoramic views and Caribbean sunshine were the perfect backdrop for Tess to promote her successful range.

Taking advantage of her daughter Phoebe’s camera skills, I watched as Tess modelled her swimwear on the beach, often filming several takes to get the perfect shot.

In the evenings, the couple had their dinners in the resort’s fine-dining restaurant, rather than at the more relaxed spot on the beach.

Later on in the holiday, perhaps finally satisfied with the copious Instagram shots she had taken, I observed Tess sharing a romantic moment with Vernon – perhaps one of the last.

Even when Tess and Vernon returned home, to their sprawling £5million mansion in Beaconsfield, there was initially little reason to suspect an impending split.

Taking to Instagram to share a series of pictures from their week in the sunshine, Vernon wrote: ‘Very grateful for a knockout week in the sunshine... And proud to be rocking @naia-beach men’s swim shorts.

‘I am biased as they’re a @tessdaly design, but they are THE comfiest shorts I’ve ever drank rum punch in! (and swam of course!!)’

Meanwhile, Tess shared her own photographs from the getaway. Notably, the pair did not share any pictures as a couple.

Shortly after she posted a joint statement to say her marriage to Vernon was over.

‘After much consideration, and with a deep sense of care and respect for one another, we have made the decision to separate amicably.

‘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.

‘We remain great friends and, most importantly, fully committed to our roles as loving and supportive parents, which will always be our priority.