The One Show - 25/02/2026 - 7:00 pm Wednesday, February 25 on BBC One London

Tess Daly (Host)

Born: March 04, 1969 in Derbyshire.

Best Known For: Strictly Come Dancing.

Early-life: Helen Elizabeth Daly was born in Stockport on March 4, 1969, and grew up in Birch Vale near New Mills, Derbyshire. She went to Hayfield Primary School and New Mills Secondary school. She has a younger sister, Karen. After finishing her A Levels, Tess became a model and appeared in magazines and pop videos, including two for Duran Duran.

Career: Daly made her small-screen debut in 2000 as the host of the Find Me a Model slot on The Big Breakfast. She went on to present shows including Singled Out, Smash Hits TV, SMTV Live (with Brian Dowling), Back to Reality, and the first series of Make Me a Supermodel. Her big break came in 2004 when she began co-presenting Strictly Come Dancing with Bruce Forsyth. She also co-hosted Just the two of Us in 2006 with her husband, Vernon Kay. She became the main host of Strictly Come Dancing in 2014.

Quote: On her modelling career: 'I saw it all - eating disorders, drugs, young girls sitting on the knees of old, rich guys in nightclubs. A lot of it turned my stomach.'

Trivia: She released her first novel, The Camera Never Lies, in 2011.

Vernon Kay (Host)

Born: April 28, 1974 in Bolton

Best Known For: Hosting light entertainment.

Early-life: Vernon Charles Kay was born on April 28, 1974, in Bolton, Lancashire. He attended St Joseph's RC High School in nearby Horwich. His first taste of fame came when he was spotted by a model scout from the Select agency at the BBC's Clothes Show Live. He went on to have a successful modelling career, culminating in his selection by Channel 4 as Model of the Week on The Big Breakfast.

Career: Kay was soon snapped up to present various TV shows, including Fully Booked spin-off FBi. This led to him fronting Channel 4's weekend strand T4, as well as Hit Me Baby One More Time - which revived the careers of faded popstars - The Record of the Year, Just the Two of Us - which he co-presented with his wife, Tess Daly - All Star Family Fortunes, and various shows for The Prince's Trust. Most recently he has become the face of light entertainment on ITV, hosting All Star Family Fortunes, Beat the Star, The Whole 19 Yards, and Splash! among others.

Quote: 'I like dossing about in my dressing gown and slippers, just kicking back.'

Trivia: Kay supports Bolton Wanderers.

Jessie Buckley (Guest)

Born: December 28, 1989 in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland

Best Known For: Playing Lorna Bow in Taboo.

Early-life: Born on December 28, 1989 in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. She attended Ursuline Secondary School, where she appeared in school productions. Her mother, Marina Cassidy, is a vocal coach and encouraged her to sing. While attending The Association of Irish Musical Societies workshops, Jessie was encouraged to apply for drama schools in London. She was turned down by two drama schools just before she auditioned for the talent show-themed television series I'd Do Anything.

Career: Buckley came second in I'd Do Anything, losing out on the chance to play Nancy in Oliver. She was offered the understudy role for Nancy but turned it down in favour of playing Anne Egerman in the Off-West End production of A Little Night Music. The production later appeared at the Garrick Theatre in the West End. Buckley graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in January 2013 and, in the summer of the same year, performed in The Tempest and Gabriel in Shakespeare's Globe. In 2015, Buckley performed in the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company's production of The Winter's Tale, which was broadcast to cinemas worldwide. Buckley has since had TV roles in such shows as War and Peace and Taboo.

Quote: 'If you work hard then you don't have to worry about anyone's preconception of what you were before.'

Trivia: She achieved Grade eight in piano, clarinet and harp with the Royal Irish Academy of Music.

Maggie Gyllenhaal (Guest)

Born: November 16, 1977 in New York

Best Known For: Being Jake's big sister.

Early-life: Born Margaret Ruth Gyllenhaal on November 16, 1977, in New York. She is the daughter of director Stephen Gyllenhaal and producer and screenwriter Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal; her younger brother, Jake, is also an actor. Both siblings grew up in Los Angeles. After graduating from high school, Maggie studied literature and Eastern religions at New York's Columbia University. She also spent time at RADA in London and worked as a waitress before landing acting roles.

Career: Gyllenhaal's first film was 1992's Waterland, which was directed by her father. Various stage and screen jobs followed, including an appearance alongside her brother in Donnie Darko in 2000. Her breakthrough role came in Secretary two years later. Since then she's rarely been off the screen, turning up in the likes of Adaptation, Mona Lisa Smile, World Trade Center, Stranger Than Fiction, The Dark Knight, Away We Go and Crazy Heart (for which she received a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination). Her first major TV role came in the BBC's acclaimed drama The Honourable Woman.

Quote: 'With everything I work on, I want to be put in a position that I have to be brave to do the project.'

Trivia: Away from showbusiness, Gyllenhaal campaigned for Barack Obama, is involved with a number of charitable organisations and has modelled for Miu Miu, Reebok and Agent Provocateur.

Luke Thompson (Guest)

Yerin Ha (Guest)

Joanne Vaughan-Jones (Editor)

The One Show: 25/02/2026

7:00 pm - 7:30 pm, Wednesday, February 25 on BBC One London (1)

About this Broadcast

25/02/2026
Season 2026, Episode 1

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