20 February 2024 , 10:50
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Ben Shephard's departure from Good Morning Britain has left a huge role to fill, with names already tipped for the position.
The presenter had worked on the ITV morning show for 10 years, before announcing he would be leaving for This Morning. Ever since Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby quit the programme last year, ITV were on the hunt to find its new hosts. Ben impressed bosses and will take on the role next month alongside Cat Deeley.
However, it has meant he's given up his job on Good Morning Britain alongside Susanna Reid, Kate Garraway and Charlotte Hawkins. Ed Balls is now among favourite to take over from Ben on the show. The former Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer currently works on GMB part time, but is tipped 4/1 to take on the vacancy.
Adil Ray is top to take over from Ben (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Ed Balls is second favourite for the position (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)Presenter and actor Adil Ray is ahead of him in the betting at 5/2. Neil Roarty, from safebettingsites.com, said: “Ben Shephard’s departure to the This Morning sofa raises the question of who will fill in permanently on the Good Morning Britain panel, with former Labour MP Ed Balls one of the favourites to swap politics for presenting full-time.
“The ex-Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer is the joint-second favourite at 4/1 to be given the role, putting him only behind Adil Ray (5/2) in the betting. Rylan Clark also has odds of 4/1, while Alison Hammond (5/1), Amol Rajan (7/1) and Jermaine Jenas (8/1) are likewise in with a shout.”
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Last week Ben took to his Instagram to announce the news to his followers. Posting a photo of himself alongside his GMB co-stars, he said: "Ten years has flown by at GMB. I’ve loved every minute, (well not those minutes immediately after the alarm goes off at 3.30am) but all the others have been incredible.
"As have these amazing women I’ve been lucky enough to sit alongside, work with, laugh with and on the odd occasions drink with! I will miss working with them and the whole team - and I’m very grateful that they are just next door so that whenever I get nostalgic I know they aren’t too far away."
His co-star Kate Garraway sent her own message to Ben on social media as she said: "Massive congrats to @benshephardofficial on the @itv @thismorning gig. You’ll be SOOOOO missed by EVERYONE @gmb viewers and the team alike & of course especially me. BUT after 24 years hard labour by my side no one will begrudge you time off for good behaviour!!! Good luck swapping early starts for (a bit) of a lie in and a Kate for a Cat! @catdeeley can’t wait to see you - you’ll have a ball."
Ben and Cat will make their full-time debut on the programme in March. Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary will continue to front the programme on Friday, while Cat and Ben will appear Monday to Thursday. Sharing the news, Ben said: "This really feels like a very special moment for Cat and I to be part of the next chapter of This Morning. It's an honour to be trusted with the reigns, join Alison and Dermot and all the team that work on and off screen and do such a great job.
"For the last ten years, I've been waking up with our ITV daytime audience on GMB and I now look forward to spending time with Cat, welcoming the viewers home after the school run or from their early morning routines, with a cup of tea and a mix of everything that makes This Morning so loved."