Tess Daly Opens Up About Family Struggles and Life Beyond Strictly Come Dancing
Tess Daly, one of Britain’s most cherished TV presenters, has opened up about a deeply personal chapter in her family life, one that nearly “brought her to her knees.”
The rigorously Come Dancing star revealed the raw verity behind fatherhood, insomniac nights, and the emotional risk of juggling fame with family.
Speaking candidly on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast, the 51- time-old presenter reflected on the exhausting early times of parenthood with her eldest son, Phoebe.
Phoebe, now 21, struggled with sleep as a baby, and for Tess, the experience was nothing short of draining.
“She’d say, ‘Hi, I’m awake, can I have a bottle?!’ like it was room service,” Tess laughed. The light-hearted recollection masked years of fatigue that tested both her patience and endurance.
Tess admitted that Phoebe didn’t sleep through the night for over three years, a period she described as “utterly brutal.”
The constant nighttime wake-ups left her physically exhausted and emotionally fragile. “It nearly brought me to my knees,” she confessed during the discussion.
The presenter revealed she frequently went straight from insomniac nights into work, slightly performing on coffee and adrenaline.
When her alternate son, Amber, now 15, was born, Tess decided effects had to change. She introduced what she called a “no tolerance” rule for sleep dislocations, and to her surprise, it worked. Amber began sleeping 12 hours a night from just three months old.
“I couldn’t believe the difference,” Tess reflected. The calmer nights gave her space to truly enjoy motherhood again.
The star also made headlines recently for another emotional moment, bidding farewell to Strictly Come Dancing after an extraordinary 21 years.
Tess, who first joined the BBC dance show in 2004, announced her departure via Instagram, describing the series as a “third child” and a “second family.”
Her statement to fans was full of gratitude and warmth. “I’m so grateful to have you as my friend for life,” she wrote to her longtime co-host Claudia Winkleman.
The duo’s chemistry and quick wit have long been a cornerstone of the show’s success, and fans across the UK have expressed sadness at seeing the partnership end.
Still, Tess insists she’s ready for what comes next, and that the “glitter and joy” of Strictly will always stay with her.
Away from the sequins and spotlights, Daly’s story highlights a more grounded side to celebrity life. Behind the glamour, she’s a mother who has faced sleepless nights, self-doubt, and the pressures familiar to so many parents.
Through honesty and humor, Tess Daly continues to resonate with fans, not just as a TV host, but as a woman who has lived, learned, and loved through every chapter.
