Strictly's Tess Daly reveals her REAL name

Tess Daly fans everywhere have been left in complete surprise that 'Tess' isn't the Strictly Come Dancing host's real name.

Indeed, Tess Daly's real name is, in fact, Helen Elizabeth Daly and Tess is merely a shortening of her middle name, Elizabeth.

Speaking in a new interview, Tess confirmed she's not legally changed her name out of respect for her parents, but even her husband Vernon Kay doesn't call her it!

She said: "My mum's really the only person who still calls me Helen, and that's not often. She tends to call me 'love', so when she does say 'Helen' it can take me a while to respond."

The popular presenter went on to explain she was told to change her name when she was working as a model when she was 17, due to another model having the same name as her.

She added: "My agent was obsessed with the actress Nastassja Kinski at the time, who was in the film Tess, and thought I looked like her. So Tess it was. I was gullible and impressionable. Mind you, two weeks later I was in Japan then travelled the world. Paris, Milan, New York.

She added: "I've never changed it by deed poll or anything because I think it would be disrespectful to my parents."

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Tess has been a host on Strictly since series one back in 2004, initially co-hosting alongside the legendary Bruce Forsyth before his sad passing.

The 52-year-old now hosts alongside Claudia Winkleman, with fans often expressing their love for the pair.

In celebration of International Women's Day on Tuesday 8th March, Tess shared two stunning photos alongside her mum best friend Gayle, writing: 'Where would we be without the incredible women in our lives? ❣️ She’s a great mother to her children, a wonderful friend and the best business partner a girl could ask for 💛over a decade of friendship later and I’d choose you every year as one of the most inspirational women in my life @gaylex ✨'. (sic)

Tess is due to return to our screens later in the year with the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

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• Tess Daly