Is Claudia one of your closest friends?
Yeah, I think it’s because we’ve gone through
the parenting journey at the same time, our
kids are close in age so our priorities are quite
similar. We are very different in some ways but
we meet in the middle. I’m always happier
when she walks in the room. She lights up the
room and just makes me laugh. She’s wonderful
company and she’s always there for a girlfriend.
It just makes life easier when you’re working
with someone you’ve got a genuine affection
for, so I feel very lucky. I had a wonderful
birthday weekend earlier this year in a beautiful
house in Sussex that all my
closest girlfriends organised and
Claudia came along. We had
a hilarious time... and dancing
on tables was involved!
Claudia told us that her children
would be mortified to see her
on TV. Do your girls feel the
same about you and Vernon?
My girls take it with a pinch of salt, because
it’s always been that way. I was pregnant with
Phoebe during the first series of Strictly, so
she’s almost like a visual reference of how long
we’ve been on air. She’s slightly taller than me
now, though! They don’t really bat an eyelid at
what Vernon and I do, it’s just the norm. They’re
not overly impressed by it. Let’s be honest,
your parents are never cool when you’re a kid.
Although they were pretty impressed by my job
last year when Joe Sugg was on Strictly! They
loved coming into work and getting to meet him.
How are Phoebe and Amber?
We are all very close. Phoebe is a typical teenager
- she’s into shopping and make-up at the
moment. Amber’s still a little bit young for that,
she’s into Barbie dolls, but they do have a great
time together. Phoebe is a really good big sister.
It’s wonderful because she’s really protective over
Amber and she’s a huge help at home!
What’s it like being a mum to a teenager?
It’s an eye-opener! There are lots of things that
you’re not used to, but that’s the great thing
about my parenting journey, it’s constantly
evolving. It’s great seeing your daughter grow
into a young lady, she’s a lovely girl and we get
on so well. But raising a teenager brings with it
a whole new set of challenges. Suddenly they
have their own ideas and plans. You have to
integrate their plans with your plans and keep
the whole family happy. You don’t want to kill
their creativity. It’s a wonderful thing to watch
her grow in independence. I love the whole
process of parenting, which is why I refuse to
remove myself from it. I just don’t want to miss
any of their stages. They grow up so quickly!Is the Tess we see on TV different from how
you are at home?
I’m never anyone else on TV other than myself,
I don’t know how to fake it. I am very motherly
by nature. I’m a real nurturer; all my friends call
me the mother [laughs]. When anyone comes
to my house, the first thing I do is I make sure
they’re fed and watered. I love being a mum,
it’s my greatest and proudest role to date.Do you and Vernon still find
time for date nights in your
busy schedules?
We haven’t for a month or so
but we do still get dressed up
and go out for the occasional
dinner. We go out with friends
too, but more often than not
it’s with the kids. Sad, I know!
But as they get older, they
don’t want to be left out, they
want to join us.What would you say is the key to making a
long-term relationship work in the spotlight?Just enjoy quality time together. It’s always
great to take off, even if it’s just for an adult
conversation over a plate of sushi – instead of
dodging the dough balls at dinner time with
the kids [laughs]. We’ve got busy lives, and we
always put ourselves last on the list. I know as
women we often put ourselves on the back
burner, we’re busy looking after everybody else.
Sometimes it’s nice to say: ‘Okay, hang on, let’s
take a little bit of me time.’Have you ever faced any sexism working in
the TV industry?
Not in the world of television.
Whether or not my gender held
me back in the past, I don’t know.
I feel like I’ve had a successful
career to date, and I’m grateful for
that, but I’ve worked hard, it was
never handed to me on a plate. I
refuse to let my sex hold me back.
I want my girls to believe they can
do everything a man can do and
more. We are quite feminist in our household.Tell us why you’re supporting Great British
Racing’s Under 18s Race Free campaign...
You get to bring your kids to the races for free,
which is genius. Lots of parents are put off taking
their kids to sporting events because of the cost –
it’s expensive. I love horses and my daughters love
horses, so for us it’s the perfect day out. Also, there
are 50 family days up and down
the country over the summer.
The kids can go pony riding,
they can meet the racehorses,
there are treasure hunts, all sorts
of stuff for under 18s!GREAT BRITISH RACING’S ‘UNDER 18S
RACE FREE’ CAMPAIGN SEES UNDER
18S ADMITTED FREE OF CHARGE AT 60
RACECOURSES ACROSS GREAT BRITAIN AND
OVER 200 FIXTURES NATIONWIDE OVER THE
SUMMER HOLIDAYS, WITH 50 SPECIAL FAMILY
DAYS. FIND YOUR LOCAL FAMILY RACE DAY
AT UNDER18SRACEFREE.COM.32
‘LET’SBEHONESTYOUR
PARENTSARENEVERREALLY
COOLWHENYOU’REAKID’
INTERVIEW BY EMILY WHITWAM PHOTOGRAPHS BY KATE MARTIN/
CONTOUR BY GETTY IMAGES ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS BY
INSTAGRAM, MATTHEW DICKENS, WIRE IMAGEOK!Above: Daughters Amber
and Phoebe. Left: With
husband Vernon KayAbove: ‘She lights up the room
and just makes me laugh,’ Tess
says of Claudia Winkleman.
Below: Tess at Ascot