In July 2026, Phoebe Elizabeth Kay joined her mother, Tess Daly, at Wimbledon. It was a public outing for a family that had kept Phoebe’s childhood mostly private. Earlier that year, she had been studying in New York, where she was training to work in front of the camera herself.
Phoebe grew up with two parents in broadcasting, yet her first interests in the industry included jobs that happen off screen. She studied film and television, took an interest in editing and said she would consider starting as a production runner. Her early screen work and later move into acting training give a clearer picture of how those interests have developed.
Quick Bio
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Phoebe Elizabeth Kay |
| Date of Birth | 17 October 2004 |
| Age | 22 years old as of November 2026 |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Occupation | Aspiring screen actor |
| Mother | Tess Daly, former Strictly Come Dancing co-host |
| Father | Vernon Kay, television presenter and BBC Radio 2 host |
| Sibling | Amber Kay, her younger sister |
| University Studies | Film and television |
| Creative Interests | Acting, production and editing |
| Acting Training | Reportedly trained at the New York Film Academy and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting |
| Early Screen Work | Played a journalist in Almost Never and reportedly did background work on The Blame |
| Public Appearance | Attended Wimbledon with Tess Daly in July 2026 |
| Social Media Handle | @phoebeekay |
Phoebe Elizabeth Kay’s Age and Family Background
Phoebe was born in London on 17 October 2004 and celebrated her 22nd birthday in October 2026. She is the elder daughter of Tess Daly and Vernon Kay. Her younger sister, Amber, was born in 2009. The sisters grew up while both parents were building careers that made them familiar faces to British audiences.
Tess became best known for co-hosting Strictly Come Dancing, which she helped present from its first series in 2004 until 2025. Vernon hosted television programmes including All Star Family Fortunes and later became the mid-morning presenter on BBC Radio 2. Phoebe grew up seeing both the weekend commitments of live television and the variety of jobs a career in broadcasting can involve.
A Childhood Largely Away From the Cameras
Tess and Vernon kept their daughters out of much of the coverage that came with their own jobs. Vernon later explained that they wanted Phoebe and Amber to decide for themselves how much of a public life they wanted. As a result, viewers could see Tess on Saturday nights for years while knowing very little about her daughters’ everyday lives.
Phoebe has described watching Strictly at home with Amber and their dad while Tess was at the studio. For the family, getting dressed up to watch the show was part of the Saturday routine. At university, Phoebe also said she often avoided introducing herself through her parents’ names. It gave new friends a chance to get to know her through the things they had in common.
What Phoebe Studied and Why Editing Interested Her
In 2024, Phoebe was coming to the end of her first year studying film and television at university. She was especially interested in production and editing. These are different parts of the same process. Production brings together the people and resources needed to shoot a scene, while editing brings the footage together into a story that makes sense to the viewer.
Phoebe said she would consider taking a job as a runner to get experience. It’s an entry-level role that gives people a close look at how a shoot works, from passing messages between departments to helping the crew stay on schedule. For someone interested in several kinds of screen work, it offers a chance to see what each department does before choosing a direction.
Phoebe Elizabeth Kay’s Acting Training in New York
By April 2026, Vernon had confirmed that Phoebe was studying in New York. Reports later that year linked her acting training to the New York Film Academy and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. Performing was already on her mind when she discussed her university studies in 2024, so the move gave her time to develop an interest she had been considering for a while.
Acting for the camera draws on some of the same skills that make editing interesting. A small change in a look or a pause can affect how a scene feels, especially in a close-up. Actors may also repeat the same action across several takes so the editor can cut between different angles. Those details help explain how Phoebe’s interest in performance fits with her curiosity about the work behind the screen.
Her Early Roles in Almost Never and The Blame
One of Phoebe’s early screen appearances was in Almost Never, a series about young musicians trying to build a career. The British Comedy Guide lists her as a journalist in one episode of the second series. It’s a small role with a specific credit, which gives readers a clearer idea of the kind of screen work she has done.
Her casting profile has also been reported to include background work on The Blame. Background performers help create the everyday activity around the main cast. They might cross a room, sit at a table or move through a crowd, then repeat the action so it looks consistent from one take to the next. These jobs offer practical experience of the timing and attention a working set requires.
BAFTA Events, Windsor Castle and Wimbledon
Phoebe attended the Vanity Fair EE BAFTA Rising Star Party with Vernon in February 2024. The event was one of her earlier photographed outings as an adult and brought her into a room with actors she admired. In November 2025, she and Vernon joined Tess at Windsor Castle, where Tess received an MBE for services to broadcasting.
In July 2026, Phoebe attended Wimbledon with her mother on the tournament’s final day. She also shares glimpses of her life in New York and trips with friends under the handle @phoebeekay.
A Family Milestone in 2026
Tess and Vernon announced their separation in May 2026, after 22 years of marriage. In their joint statement, they described the decision as amicable and said their daughters would remain their priority. Both attended Phoebe’s 22nd birthday celebration in October and shared pictures from the occasion.
Phoebe thanked friends and family for celebrating with her. The photos her parents chose gave a glimpse of their individual memories with her. Tess shared a childhood picture among her birthday tributes, while Vernon included a photo of them at an NFL game. Those posts offered a rare look back at a childhood the family had largely kept private.
Conclusion
Phoebe Elizabeth Kay had a close view of British television growing up, from watching her mum on Saturday nights to seeing her dad move between radio and entertainment shows. Her own interests took shape through film and television studies. She talked about editing, looked for ways to learn how a set runs and took on small screen roles that gave her practical experience.
Her training in New York is the latest step in that early career. It gives her a chance to focus on performing while drawing on what she already knows about production. The clearest thread in her story so far is her interest in how a scene comes together, whether she’s learning to play it on camera or thinking about how it will look in the edit.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How old is Phoebe Elizabeth Kay?
Phoebe is 22 years old as of November 2026. She was born on 17 October 2004 in London.
2. Who are Phoebe Elizabeth Kay’s parents?
Her mother is Tess Daly, the former Strictly Come Dancing co-host. Her father is Vernon Kay, a television presenter and BBC Radio 2 host.
3. Does Phoebe Kay have a sister?
Yes. Her younger sister is Amber Kay, who was born in 2009.
4. What did Phoebe Kay study before acting?
Phoebe studied film and television at university. She spoke about enjoying production and editing before pursuing acting training in New York.
5. What has Phoebe Kay appeared in?
She is listed as a journalist in one episode of Almost Never. Her casting profile has also been reported to list background work on The Blame.
