Tess Daly, the beloved host of Strictly Come Dancing, has opened up about the heartbreak that overshadowed her early days of marriage to TV presenter Vernon Kay. The couple, who have been together for over two decades, tied the knot in September 2003. However, just 18 days after their wedding, Tess faced a devastating loss when her father passed away from emphysema. Reflecting on this tragic event, Tess shared, "I fell apart. I miss him so much, every day." She recalled how her father, despite his illness, was determined to walk her down the aisle. "I know my dad was glad to see me with Vernon. I'm glad he got to see us settled," she added. The couple, who reside in a picturesque six-bedroom home in Buckinghamshire, are parents to two daughters, Phoebe and Amber. Tess revealed that the loss of her father profoundly affected her, especially as she began her role as co-presenter on Strictly Come Dancing a year later. "The show that turned things round for me was Strictly Come Dancing, but no one had any idea how torn up I was when I did that very first show," she explained. Despite putting on a brave face, she admitted, "I was completely broken up on the inside." Tess also shared her father's love for ballroom dancing, stating, "My dad loved ballroom dancing. He got me into it when I was a kid. Everything about it would have appealed to my dad." She expressed her regret that he never got to meet her children, saying, "He would've loved them. But he never got to see me do Strictly either, and he would have been so proud." The impact of her father's death has shaped Tess's perspective on life and family. "When you lose someone, the way you think about everything changes forever. You know it can all go in a second, so it makes you want to protect what you have," she concluded. Strictly Come Dancing continues to air every weekend on BBC One, showcasing the joy of dance that Tess's father would have cherished.