Strictly's Tess Daly reveals heartbreak over MBE 'Would have meant the world'

Tess Daly has opened up about the one thing that left her heartbroken about her recent MBE honour, and it was not being able to share that moment with her late father.

The Strictly Come Dancing presenter was named in King Charles ' Birthday Honours List last month for her services to broadcasting. But while the accolade has brought her immense pride, Tess admitted she feels a deep sadness that her dad, Vivian, is no longer here to see her receiving it.

Speaking to Fearne Cotton on the Happy Place podcast, the 56-year-old shared: "I wish my dad could know about this because I sadly lost him many years ago, about 22 years ago, before I even had kids.

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"So he never saw me on Strictly. He loved Bruce. He loved ballroom dancing. He'd have loved that moment. And there are certain things that you wish could have happened, and I would have loved him to have sort of known that this had happened because that would have meant the world."

Vivian passed away in 2003, a year before Tess joined Strictly as a co-host alongside the legendary Sir Bruce Forsyth. The pair went on to become one of television’s most beloved presenting duos, and Tess continued to co-host the show with Claudia Winkleman after Sir Bruce’s retirement and later death in 2017.

Despite decades of success on screen, the Stockport-born star admitted that receiving the MBE has been one of the most surreal moments of her career.

"It's an incredible honour. And I haven't really taken it in yet," she told Fearne. "I suppose when I actually get to hold the medal, wear it and have it pinned to me, that's going to be when it really sinks in."

Tess and Claudia, 53, were both awarded MBEs in June, which was an experience Tess described as "the greatest thing that's ever happened to me".

She also confessed that she almost missed out on the honour altogether after the letter was sent to the wrong address. She previously said: "This genuinely came as the greatest surprise of my life. I don't think I've come back down to earth yet.

"It almost didn't happen, because the letter went to the wrong address. And thank goodness, someone very kind found me. And so by the time I got it, I only had, I think it was two or three days left to accept it. There's a deadline of acceptance. I can't imagine not ever wanting to accept such a wonderful award. But of course I did."

On social media, Tess posted a heartfelt message alongside a throwback photo with Sir Bruce, writing: "Genuinely still pinching myself… Feeling extremely humbled and very honoured to be awarded an MBE for Services to Broadcasting in King Charles’ birthday honours list."

She added that if she could, she would dedicate the honour to the many broadcasting legends she’s worked with over the years and the Strictly fans who’ve supported the show for over two decades.

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