tess daly© Photo: Getty Images

Strictly host Tess Daly's real name revealed

The BBC star surprised fans with the revelation

Senior Online Writer
November 19, 2022

Tess Daly is best known for presenting Strictly Come Dancing, which she has co-hosted since 2004, first with Bruce Forsyth and now alongside Claudia Winkleman.

Even before her long-running BBC stint, she was well-known as a presenter but the name we all know her by turns out not to be the name she was given at birth!

SEE: Strictly's Tess Daly wows in sparkly knee-high boots

The star was born in March 1969, and her parents named her Helen Elizabeth Daly, but she changed this very early in her career.

The 53-year-old started modelling after being scouted at the age of 17 while waiting for her sister outside McDonald's in Manchester.

WATCH: Tess Daly looks unrecognisable in clips from her style evolution

Since there was another model named Helen Daly in the industry, she was asked to use another name and chose "Tess" on her agent's advice, later saying this was because her agent was inspired by the Nastassja Kinski movie of the same name.

WOW: Strictly's Tess Daly commands attention in metallic mini dress

LOOK: Strictly's Tess Daly and Vernon Kay's palatial home and pool is in a league of its own

She went on to have a hugely successful career as a model, working in Asia, London and Paris and even living in New York for five years.

© Photo: Getty Images

The star shares two children with husband Vernon

She also starred in two Duran Duran videos and was the face of lingerie brand La Senza. Her first foray into TV work was hosting The Big Breakfast's Find Me a Model competition and she also worked on SMTV Live, fronted Home On Their Own and worked on Just the Two of Us with her husband Vernon Kay.

Despite only being known by her professional name in both modelling and television, Tess has not chosen to officially change her name.

© Photo: Getty Images

Tess got her start as a model

In 2020, she commented: "I've never changed it by deed poll anything because I think it would be disrespectful to my parents".

Tess is now a proud mother of two daughters: Amber, 13, and 18-year-old Phoebe, who is following her parents into show business, as she attends drama school.

Like this story? Sign up to our Strictly Come Dancing newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.

Keep up to date with all things Strictly, from the backstage gossip and romance rumours, judges ' verdicts and exclusives

Email Address

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More Celebrity News

See more