‘They are paid a fortune but they’re getting perks we can only dream of’: As Tess Daly and Vernon Kay net yet another lucrative side gig, BBC insiders tell KATIE HIND why staff are sick of star talents ‘topping up’ their lifestyles with extras

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Tess Daly and Vernon Kay beamed as they posed for a photo with the head chef from the famous Nobu restaurant – and it’s easy to see why they were so happy.

The well-known broadcasting couple enjoyed a complimentary meal at the London restaurant and also agreed to become official representatives for the restaurant’s worldwide hotel and restaurant group.

Nobu’s employers see the partnership as a clear win. Tess, age 56, has a large and loyal fanbase from her work on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, and her husband Vernon, 51, has found success in radio, hosting a popular show on BBC Radio 2 during mid-morning hours.

This restaurant venture will add to the couple’s substantial income, which already totals around £1 million per year. Vernon, originally from Bolton, earns approximately £395,000 hosting the UK’s most popular radio show – a position he took over from Ken Bruce in 2023.

Although Tess’s salary used to be public information, it’s no longer released because Strictly is now made by BBC Studios, the BBC’s commercial division, which isn’t required to disclose salaries. However, it’s believed she still earns over £400,000.

The exact amount Nobu is paying the couple to be ambassadors isn’t public, but it’s probably a substantial sum.

While many are pleased, some BBC colleagues are reportedly unhappy that the couple is profiting from their association with the organization. This isn’t just about the Nobu deal, but a series of other profitable partnerships they’ve made.

This makes sense considering the BBC traditionally didn’t allow its presenters to promote products or brands, in order to maintain its reputation and the public’s confidence.

A BBC source expressed frustration this week, saying, ‘These individuals receive substantial salaries from the BBC, but are then permitted to supplement that income with additional earnings from other sources.’

Historically, the BBC didn’t permit this, but it seems they’ve changed their policy, now allowing personalities like Tess and Vernon to participate.

Tess Daly, who will be back next weekend with Claudia Winkleman to host the 21st season of Strictly Come Dancing, has faced criticism before for promoting products, sometimes those she financially benefits from, using her television profile. She recently worked with Vitabiotics as the face of their WellWoman vitamin range and has also partnered with a jewelry brand.

She also works with the TV shopping channel QVC and the All Inclusive Collection travel company, and has received complimentary luxury vacations in exchange for her work.

Tess’s travels gave her the opportunity to share beautiful photos on Instagram. This was great for her career because she got to model and advertise her own swimwear line, Naia Beach, at the same time.

She’s used her social media – where she has over 875,000 followers – to share news about her collection being sold at John Lewis. She also recently starred in a Christmas ad for Marks & Spencer with Vernon.

Last year, the couple-who own a £4 million home in Buckinghamshire-were paid to try and review the seasonal menu items from a popular restaurant chain in a series of videos.

Vernon began his career as a model and has often promoted the retailer’s clothing. He frequently shares photos on Instagram showcasing the brand’s newest styles.

He shared a video of himself walking past an M&S store while wearing a cream suit, jokingly asking if it looked like a runway or a sidewalk, and declaring he looked ‘this sharp’.

I think the reason this artist is getting so much attention from the big retailers is simple: he has a massive following! Nearly seven million people tune in to hear him every week, and that kind of reach definitely gets noticed.

Just to clarify, this couple – married since 2003 and parents to Phoebe, 20, and Amber, 16 – aren’t doing anything wrong.

For a long time, broadcasters had a strict rule against promoting or endorsing products or services on the air. The concern was that it would mix news and advertising, damaging public trust. While this rule isn’t as firm now, many well-paid personalities still choose to avoid using their public platform to earn extra money, believing it’s important to maintain neutrality.

Everyone agreed that Tess and Vernon deserved their success. They were known as friendly and approachable people within their field.

Despite being grounded and approachable, their recent business partnerships have led to luxurious and international experiences. For example, they’ve been promoting Nobu restaurants, including a trip to the Dubai location.

Vernon went to the Super Bowl in New Orleans in February, and later enjoyed the men’s final at Wimbledon with his daughter, Phoebe. He even shared a photo of Phoebe’s Marks & Spencer outfit on Instagram.

He’s an avid golfer and recently attended the Masters tournament in April, where he met and chatted with the winner, Rory McIlroy.

Vernon also had great tickets to popular concerts. He and Tess were VIP guests at a highly anticipated DJ Pete Tong performance at the Royal Albert Hall in June.

However, people were most interested in how he repeatedly showed up at Oasis’s sold-out reunion concerts. Many fans wondered how he’d gotten tickets to not one, but two, shows at Heaton Park in Manchester.

Vernon addressed the online criticism by stating he had fully paid for whatever caused it, jokingly adding that he ‘maxed out his credit card’.

People who weren’t able to buy tickets were even more upset when they saw him at another concert, enjoying a private box at Wembley.

It’s not just public criticism – people working at the BBC also feel frustrated that its highest-paid stars are earning extra money on top of their salaries.

Everyone at the BBC is expected to maintain high standards, but it seems that well-known personalities are permitted to earn additional money, and their prominent positions within the BBC actually help them do so.

People at the BBC really appreciate them – they’re genuinely kind, approachable, and very down-to-earth.

Honestly, it’s not just that they’re living the dream and making a ridiculous amount of money, it’s *everything* else! They use being famous to get anything and everything they want – the kind of stuff I can only fantasize about. It’s just… unfair, but also, I’m totally obsessed with it!

The main concern is whether these actions seem acceptable to viewers, even if the BBC doesn’t see a problem with them. According to one source, the answer is likely no.

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2025-09-14 03:34