Strictly star Tess Daly's beauty secrets as fans say she's 'ageing backwards'

Strictly Come Dancing hostTess Daly looks amazing for her age. The Mirror takes a look at the star's skincare regime, the foods that keep her looking youthful and the top tip handed down by her mum

Polished presenter Tess Daly is celebrating 20 years as the host of Strictly Come Dancing - and the star looks as gorgeous as ever.

Tess, 55, is glowing and radiant on our screens, saying she is loving midlife. "I'm really enjoying the stage of life that I'm at now," Tess told Good Housekeeping magazine last year. "I feel so comfortable in my own skin.

"I wouldn't revisit those years of teenage angst now for anything. And thank god I left behind the blue eyeshadow and pink shimmer lipstick."

The star, who was a model in her younger days, has revealed some of her beauty secrets, telling how less is more now she's more mature. "I definitely wear less makeup, even on screen, than I did 20 years ago," she said. "For me, too much makeup, too-thick foundation and too much powder sits in the creases and highlights the lines a lot more."

The mum-of-two, married to fellow telly presenter Vernon Kay, follows a dedicated routine of cleansing, moisturising and, thanks to her mum's advice, using an SPF for protection from the sun. "I'm usually sleep deprived so I look for products that cheat sleep and make my skin look a bit more dewy and radiant than it actually is," she said.

"I believe in investing in my skin as I do in my general health, looking after what you have got," added the star. "Over time, my skin felt more radiant, boosted and fresh."

Tess credits her make-up artist Aimee Adams with making her look flawless onscreen. "She's very clever," she said. "She has great tricks that hide the shadows under my eyes and the bags. Well, help to hide! I'm like: 'Can I have a really dark smoky eyeshadow please to hide the creases?' She's a magician."

The presenter is said to be mindful when it comes to diet and exercise, favouring foods that reverse ageing process like avocados, blueberries, nuts and spinach and practising yoga every day. According to Closer magazine, the star has regular anti-ageing treatments too.

"Tess has her anti-ageing treatments regularly," said their insider. "Especially in the lead-up to the new series of Strictly, which includes laser facials, micro needling and Ultratherapy, as well as Botox and veneers."

When she recently shared a snap on Instagram, one fan asked the Strictly host: "Why don't I look like you?! We're the same age!" Another told her: "You look lovely and natural Tess. Not saying you don't look good on Strictly. Just a beautiful photo."

Looking back at her Strictly debut, Tess joked that she had come a long way. "They were showing us some old clips from the first [Strictly] show and I'm sure I was wearing a fascinator in my hair," she laughed. "I couldn't believe that. I mean fascinators are fine at Ascot but not good on primetime TV, clashing with my dress."