Tess Daly, 49, hits out at ageism and sexism in TV as the Strictly Come Dancing host insists she 'hasn't had any work done'

By Ellie Phillips For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

She's one of the most popular presenters on the small screen, having earned her place as a household name.

And now, Tess Daly has spoken out to denounce the fact that female television presenters over the age of 40 have to ­'defend' themselves. 

The Strictly Come Dancing host, 49, who has two children with her husband, and fellow presenter, Vernon Kay, says she hopes attitudes change for the sake of their daughters.

Hitting out: Tess Daly, 49, has spoken out to denounce the fact that female television presenters over the age of 40 have to ­'defend' themselves

Hitting out: Tess Daly, 49, has spoken out to denounce the fact that female television presenters over the age of 40 have to ­'defend' themselves

Tess discussed her concerns with Health and Fitness magazine, raging: 'Why are we labelled? We shouldn’t be.

'As soon as you hit 40, you have to defend your right to be that 'great age', and still working in the media. But why should I defend my great age?

'You only notice [the age question] when you keep being asked about it. It just seems sexist and limiting. I hope it changes for our daughters.' 

The mother-of-two went on to compare the life of a female presenter behind a video camera to that of a model, which has an intense focus on size, shape and beauty.

Time for change: The Strictly Come Dancing host who has two children with her husband, and fellow presenter, Vernon Kay, says she hopes attitudes change for the sake of their daughters

Time for change: The Strictly Come Dancing host who has two children with her husband, and fellow presenter, Vernon Kay, says she hopes attitudes change for the sake of their daughters

Raging: Tess discussed her concerns with Health and Fitness magazine, raging: 'Why are we labelled? We shouldn¿t be; Pictured with Claudia Winkleman on BBC in 2016

Raging: Tess discussed her concerns with Health and Fitness magazine, raging: 'Why are we labelled? We shouldn’t be; Pictured with Claudia Winkleman on BBC in 2016

Furious: 'As soon as you hit 40, you have to defend your right to be that 'great age', and still working in the media'; Pictured with Sir Bruce Forsyth on BBC in 2014

Furious: 'As soon as you hit 40, you have to defend your right to be that 'great age', and still working in the media'; Pictured with Sir Bruce Forsyth on BBC in 2014

The former model explained: 'All my adult life, I’ve worked in media that demand you maintain your shape.

'For example, when you’re in the fashion industry, if you don’t fit the sample sizes, you’re not going to get booked for jobs. So I’ve always looked after myself to a degree.'

Tess also claimed that she has completely shunned plastic surgery and none-surgical aesthetic treatments such as Botox and fillers.

Ageism: Tess added: 'You only notice [the age question] when you keep being asked about it. It just seems sexist and limiting'; Pictured with Bruce Forsyth on BBC in 2014

Ageism: Tess added: 'You only notice [the age question] when you keep being asked about it. It just seems sexist and limiting'; Pictured with Bruce Forsyth on BBC in 2014

Intense: The mother-of-two went on to compare the life of a female presenter behind a video camera to that of a model, which has an intense focus on size, shape and beauty

Intense: The mother-of-two went on to compare the life of a female presenter behind a video camera to that of a model, which has an intense focus on size, shape and beauty

Positive mindset: She said: 'Despite being in a business that tends to obsess over looks, I try not to as I think it's really unhealthy'; Pictured with Richard Bacon on Channel 5 in 2004

Positive mindset: She said: 'Despite being in a business that tends to obsess over looks, I try not to as I think it's really unhealthy'; Pictured with Richard Bacon on Channel 5 in 2004

She said: 'Despite being in a business that tends to obsess over looks, I try not to as I think it's really unhealthy.

'Like everyone else, I have good days and bad days, but I tend not to beat myself up about that. I’m all about the big picture.'

Tess, however, admitted she's conscious that the signs of ageing will increase over time, and hinted that she's not completely ruled out having work done in the future.

Keeping it real: Tess admitted: 'Like everyone else, I have good days and bad days'; Pictured with Sir Trevor Mcdonald at the Royal Albert Hall, London in 2003

Keeping it real: Tess admitted: 'Like everyone else, I have good days and bad days'; Pictured with Sir Trevor Mcdonald at the Royal Albert Hall, London in 2003

Never say never: Tess, however, hinted that she's not completely ruled out having work done in the future; Pictured with Claudia Winkleman on BBC in 2017

Never say never: Tess, however, hinted that she's not completely ruled out having work done in the future; Pictured with Claudia Winkleman on BBC in 2017

She reasoned: 'I mean, I’ve got wrinkles and it’s ­inevitable they’ll get worse, but I’m not ready to go down that line.

'You can see in the flesh I haven’t had any work done because there are wrinkles. But you know what? I embrace it. I’m happy. Life’s a journey, right?'

Not yet! Tess claimed: 'You can see in the flesh I haven¿t had any work done because there are wrinkles; Pictured in London in 2008

Not yet! Tess claimed: 'You can see in the flesh I haven’t had any work done because there are wrinkles; Pictured in London in 2008

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Tess Daly hits out at ageism and sexism in TV

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