Tess Daly and Vernon Kay enjoyed a lavish family holiday with their daughter Phoebe just WEEKS before announcing their split

Tess Daly and Vernon Kay enjoyed a lavish family holiday with their daughter Phoebe just weeks before announcing their split. 

The couple announced their separation on Friday following 23 years of marriage, admitting they had agonised over the decision, but were determined to continue to be supportive parents to their daughters Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16.

Smiling photos shared to Instagram showed the pair on a sun-soaked trip with Phoebe, as they hit the beach in the Caribbean. 

In his update, Vernon had captioned: 'Very grateful for a knockout week in the sunshine…And proud to be rocking men’s swim shorts. 

'I am biased as they’re a Tess Daly design, but they are the comfiest shorts I’ve ever drank rum punch in!! (And swam in of course!!).'

Although he praised his wife on her design skills, both his and Tess' photo updates failed to show them posing for any snaps together. 

Tess had shared the 'last few' snaps from her trip to Instagram two weeks ago, as she modelled some sets from her own brand, Naia Beach. 

She posed in an electric blue swimsuit which featured a ruched front and a halterneck design. 

Tess previously claimed that she wanted to be 'selfish' and have a 'grown-up gap year', just a day before her split from Vernon was confirmed. 

The former Strictly Come Dancing host, who quit her coveted role on the BBC programme after years of prioritising her work, is said to be 'desperate to see the world' after 21 years on the show. 

Sources told of how Tess hoped to go away 'for a whole year' but Vernon would only be able to travel for a few weeks given his work commitments. 

They said: 'Tess always put Vernon and the girls first and now she wants to be a bit selfish and make the most of their situation and her new-found freedom.'

The source added to Closer magazine: 'She has been working since her teens and never really got to do all the travelling. She feels she's missed out even though she knows how lucky she is.

'Vernon says they couldn’t really do a whole year as he has his Radio 2 show, but he likes the idea of jetting off for weeks at a time, then coming home.'

However, in a heartbreaking statement, released on Friday, the two revealed they had decided to split after 'much consideration, and a deep sense of care and respect for one another'. 

Tess and Vernon also confirmed that the decision to separate was made 'amicably' and that 'no other parties' had been involved in the move. 

'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,' they said. 

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

'There are no other parties involved in this decision. We kindly ask for privacy during this time as we navigate this transition together.

'We will not be making any further public comments. Tess and Vernon.' 

Friends of the couple expressed their shock at their split, with one remarking how they 'did not see it coming'. They added: 'It’s very, very sad.’