There has been an enormous amount of speculation about the dramatic news that Tess Daly and Vernon Kay have separated after 25 years together.

Now, for the first time, a member of the couple's inner circle has spoken out publicly about their break-up - and revealed the true story behind it.

In a candid interview Vernon's father, Norman Kay, has revealed that his son and daughter-in-law have parted on perhaps surprisingly good terms.

And Norman is even sanguine enough about how Vernon and Tess will now navigate separation and co-parenting that he even repeatedly joked about his son's new single status in his interview with the Daily Mail.

Radio 2 DJ Vernon, 51, and former Strictly presenter, Tess 57, announced in a joint statement last week that they had decided to part ways after a quarter of a century as a couple, including 22 years of marriage.

The announcement sent shockwaves through the entertainment world with the couple regarded as having one of the strongest marriages in showbusiness - and fuelled much discussion about possible causes.

Mr Kay Snr spoke out to demolish some of the more lurid suggestions that have been in circulation, insisting: 'There is no bad blood.'

Speaking from his home in Bolton, Norman, 83, told the Daily Mail: 'Of course, it's sad when people split up and we're all very fond of Tess. They made a lovely couple.

'But it's an amicable split and there is no bad blood between them. They have just gone in different directions, that's all.

'Sometimes these things happen for the better and this is one of those cases.'

Norman, who lives in Bolton with his wife, Vernon's mother Gladys, revealed that Vernon has been on phone to them every day since the split was announced

And showing how relaxed he is about Vernon's split, he joked: 'He's old enough and ugly enough to know what he's doing!

'I've been speaking to him on a daily basis and so has his mum.

'Tess is a lovely woman, and we want to make sure everyone is all right in this - her, Vernon and obviously our grandchildren.

'And I can tell you that they are.'

Vernon and Tess married in September 2003 and share two daughters Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16.

Norman, whose own marriage has now lasted 58 years, added that when he has spoken to his son, he has stressed the importance of not moving on too quickly - and getting into a rebound relationship.

He explained: 'I have been married a long time, much longer than Vernon and Tess were.

'My advice to him is not to rush into another relationship and he's not doing that because he's got plenty of time.'

Norman joked: 'He's a good-looking lad but not as good looking as me!

'But he's not as old as me and will come out well from this situation. I'm sure that everything will work out fine for them both.'

He also dismissed any suggestion of third party involvement, insisting: 'That's absolutely 100 per cent rubbish.

'He's not interested in finding anyone else at the moment and there is nobody else involved.'

In the statement announcing the end of their marriage released on May 8, Vernon and Tess said: 'After much consideration, and with a deep sense of care and respect for one another, we have made the decision to separate amicably.

'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.

'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.

'We will not be making any further public comments.'

In a final insight into how relaxed he is about the break-up Norman gave a tongue-in-cheek explanation of why he is yet to see his son since the announcement.

He joked: 'We've not travelled down south to visit him because it means going on the M6 and I hate the M6.

'Motorways are not what they used to be!'

Tess and Vernon, who live in Buckinghamshire and are thought to be worth around £10million, were last seen publicly together in February when they hosted an episode of The One Show.

Friends of the two, who met while presenting Top Of The Pops@Play together in 2001, were stunned to learn of the news.

One said: 'When Vernon told me, I was stunned, I didn't see it coming, nobody did. This is going to take some getting used to.'

The former couple started dating after meeting in 2001, with Vernon going on to propose the following year, on Christmas Day.

They have been regarded as one of the strongest marriages in showbusiness, despite Vernon being caught out exchanging flirtatious messages with glamour model Rhian Sugden in 2010.

Tess was said to be devastated when she learned that Vernon had been messaging Rhian, now 39, after meeting in a Bolton nightclub.