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Vernon Kay has reminisced about a cringe-worthy moment from his first date with Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly. Vernon, 51, encountered 56-year-old Tess during their early days as emerging television hosts in the early 2000s.

At the time, Vernon was presenting Channel 4's youth-focused T4 programme whilst Tess was anchoring SMTV Live, ITV's Saturday morning children's show. The duo reportedly first crossed paths at a BBC Christmas celebration.

They subsequently organised a romantic evening at Zilli Fish on Brewer Street in London's Soho, Vernon recalls, reports the Manchester Evening News. Although disaster struck when technology appeared to scupper Vernon's chances to impress Tess.

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Speaking to the Daily Mail, he revealed: "I think we ordered a bottle of pinot grigio, but Tess doesn't like pinot grigio, so it may have been a bottle of sauvignon blanc. I have the worst memory; all I remember from that date is that my cash card was rejected, so Tess had to pay."

Vernon has previously disclosed he was taken aback by Tess's financial credentials on their date. Speaking to the Guardian he revealed: "She had a Visa card when I was still on a student solo card."

Despite the embarrassing hiccup, the pair's romance flourished and they exchanged vows at St Mary's Catholic Church in Horwich, near Bolton, on September 12, 2003.

The couple now share daughters Phoebe and Amber together. Vernon reveals the pair still relish sharing a bottle of wine together, though their preferred drink has evolved over the years.

They now favour enjoying a bottle of rosé together. The BBC Radio 2 star shared: "Our go-to is Domaines Ott, which has a beautiful hint of liquorice. We tried it for the first time at Hotel Costes in Paris, when we were celebrating our second anniversary, and we were on it again in the South of France this summer."

Vernon revealed that they loved the drink so much that they purchased a bottle at the airport. Now, whenever they sip a chilled glass of rose, it "sparks memories straight away".

Tess has previously opened up about their "explosive" start to their relationship. Speaking to Fabulous magazine, she said: "Fabulous magazine: "It was all quite immediate, really, because we instantly had such a blast together."

She added: "I couldn't imagine having more fun with anyone else. It was pretty explosive, I tell you."

Six years ago, Vernon swept Tess away to the romantic landscapes of the South of France, where, unbeknownst to her, he had secretly planned a vow renewal ceremony-complete with several wardrobe choices for his unsuspecting wife.

Opening up about the moment when he appeared on I'm A Celebrity..Get Me out of Here!, Vernon said: "I booked a weekend in our favourite hotel in the South of France and I spoke to her stylist at the time and I said I needed four dresses."

He added: "She didn't know anything. I gave her a card and it said congratulations on your second wedding day and I said we're going to renew our vows. She said 'I've got nothing to wear' and I said 'you say that... pick one'."