This Morning's Ben Shephard says leaving Kate Garraway was 'hardest decision'

16 February 2024 , 20:01

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This Morning's Ben Shephard says leaving Kate Garraway was 'hardest decision'

It's the Cat who got the dream... as thrilled Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard are officially named the new hosts of This Morning.

They replace Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby who left last year. The Mirror revealed the news earlier this month. The duo will be on screens from Monday to Thursday from next month, with Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary covering Fridays.

Ben, 49, said he is looking forward to being a permanent member of the This Morning family. He said: “I’ve worked with many of the team on and off but to work with them full-time is very exciting.”

Ben is heartbroken to have to leave his on-screen wife, Kate Garraway (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Ben has been announced as the new host of This Morning (David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)

Deeley, 47, who has presented US show So You Think You Can Dance for more than a decade, said she “really missed that sense of camaraderie” of hosting with another person. Ben is a true gentleman, an incredible presenter and a great journalist,” she said. “No one handles live TV better, he makes it look effortless. He’s funny and whip smart, I can’t wait to go to work every day and do a job I love.”

But Shephard said leaving Good Morning Britain had been the hardest decision due to his relationship with co-presenter Kate Garraway. Ben, who also hosts ITV’s Tipping Point and Ninja Warrior UK, said: “I’m grateful my extended GMB family is only next door so that whenever I get nostalgic I know I’m not going to be far away.

“Although I’ll miss being on screen with them, my later starts mean I may be able to hang out with them all a bit more. One of the hardest decisions of course is knowing my mornings with Kate, my on-screen wife of nearly 20 years, is coming to an end.

“Her journey has been well documented, and I think we would all agree how remarkable she has been over the last four years. I won’t miss the mess but I’ve learned so much from her, as I have from all of the people I’ve been lucky enough to work alongside.”

The pair have been close friends for more than twenty years

Garraway’s husband Derek Draper spent 13 months in hospital after falling ill with Covid in 2020. He was admitted to hospital in December last year following a heart attack and died last month.

Willoughby and co-star Schofield shared the sofa for 14 years before he left ITV last May after he admitted an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a younger male colleague. Holly departed in October, saying she had made the ­decision “for me and my family”.

Shephard, who filled in for Schofield and sometimes shared the sofa with Willoughby, said he adored Hammond and it was lovely to be back with O’Leary, who he appeared with on Channel 4’s The Bigger Breakfast.

Both Deeley and Shepard have previously presented This Morning on separate occasions.

Tom Bryant