Rhian Sugden today reveals her regret over her sexting ‘fling’ with TV presenter Vernon Kay, telling his wife Tess Daly: ‘I’m sorry for the hurt’

Model Rhian Sugden has finally spoken out about her controversial sexting “fling” with TV presenter Vernon Kay, issuing a heartfelt apology to his wife Tess Daly and admitting she deeply regrets her actions.

At the time of the scandal, Vernon was 44 and Rhian was 31. Reports revealed that the presenter had sent Rhian hundreds of flirty messages and repeatedly attempted to arrange secret hotel meetings. The explosive revelations first surfaced in 2016 — just years after Vernon and Tess’s marriage had already been rocked by a previous sexting controversy.

Vernon, pictured with wife Tess, sent hundreds of flirty texts to model Rhian and repeatedly tried to arrange secret meetings with her at a hotel Vernon, pictured with wife Tess, sent hundreds of flirty texts to model Rhian and repeatedly tried to arrange secret meetings with her at a hotel

Now, in an open letter addressed directly to Tess, Rhian admits she wishes she had never become involved with a married man.

“I deeply regret creating a friendship with Vernon and allowing him to speak to me in the way he did,” she wrote. “I should never have got involved with someone who was married.”

A painful reflection

In an open letter to Tess in today’s Sun, former Page 3 girl Rhian says she wishes she had never got involved

Rhian said that as time has passed, she has come to understand that she was not wise or strong enough to deal with her own insecurities at the time, allowing the situation to spiral.

“The exchange of messages was inappropriate and I should never have encouraged that behaviour,” she continued. “I know it takes two people, but I could have stopped it. I didn’t — and that was selfish and completely wrong.”

She made it clear that she and Vernon never met alone and that the relationship never progressed beyond messages, but added that this did not excuse her actions.

“It was disrespectful, hurtful and tasteless. I wouldn’t dream of behaving like that now,” she admitted. “I can only describe myself back then as a silly young girl caught up in a very bizarre situation.”

Tess Daly forgives

Despite the turmoil caused, Tess Daly — who has been married to Vernon since 2003 and shares two children with him — chose to forgive her husband, later saying:
“All marriages have their moments. Vernon and I are just people at the end of the day.”

Moving forward

Rhian has since rebuilt her life and is now planning her wedding to actor Oliver Mellor. Looking back, she says nothing she can say will undo the hurt caused, but she wanted to offer her sincerest apologies and wish Tess and Vernon happiness for the future.

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/