Ben 'desperately trying to hold it together' as Kate emotional on final GMB
Ben Shephard admitted he was "desperately trying to hold it together" on his final Good Morning Britain show as co-star Kate Garraway said she was "off already".
It was announced last week that Ben, 49, and Cat Deeley were the new hosts of This Morning following Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby's departures last year. This means that Ben will be leaving Good Morning Britain after ten years.
Appearing on Friday's show with co-host Kate, 56, for his final GMB show, the duo addressed his emotional exit and new role. Later on the show, Good Morning Britain shared several emotional messages from Ben's co-stars, who couldn't make it into the studio on Friday, as well as some heartfelt messages from his beloved West Ham United and celebrity pals. These included Lorraine Kelly, Chris Kamara, Fiona Phillips, Jenni Falconer and John Stapleton.
Elsewhere, Ben was surprised by a slew of his GMB co-stars in the studio, including Susanna Reid, who joined him on the sofa as they reminisced on his GMB journey. At one point, both Andi Peters, who gave Ben his first job in television way back when, and Richard Arnold, who revealed Ben's This Morning start date, fought back tears as they delivered heartfelt messages.
Ben Shephard admitted he was "desperately trying to hold it together" on his final Good Morning Britain show as co-star Kate Garraway said she was "off already" (ITV)Ben's family members also marked his last day with his wife, Annie Shephard, in the studio and his aunty Jan appeared via video link from Port Isaac - a place very close to Ben’s heart - to share some fun childhood stories. Other sweet gestures included West Ham's mascot Bubbles appearing in the studio, an alarm clock cake to poke fun at his early GMB starts, a signed West Ham football and blanket with his co-stars' faces on.
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At the start of the show, Kate said: "It's not even a minute past six, I just realised that's the last time we're here Good Morning Britain with Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway. I'm off already, too emotional!" Meanwhile, Ben added: "I'm desperately trying to hold this together, we've got three hours" with Kate replying: "Are you? Feeling a bit emotional?" to which Ben admitted: "Yeah, I do!" Charlotte Hawkins was also emotional, saying: "I have to say, Ben, we'll be doing our best to keep it together today."
Signing of his last show at the end of the episode, Ben said: "A friend of mine texted me last night and he said 'Enjoy setting your alarm for stupid o'clock for the last time' and I said 'You know what? I think I actually might.' I didn't - it's horrible. The alarm going off has never been anything I've enjoyed.
Ben was surprised by his GMB co-stars for one final farewell (ITV)"But what I have known is as soon as I get in here, I'm going to be surrounded by you, brilliant, incredible, gorgeous, talented, challenging, chaotic, annoying, fabulous people that make me better at what I do. It's not lost on me that I wouldn't be able to do it if you lot weren't amazing and hadn't been such fabulous friends and brilliant colleagues.
"The extended family here at GMB, it's not just us, we just get to do the glorious bit when it goes right. But the team behind the cameras and everybody, thank you to all of them and thank you to the viewers as well for trusting me to wake you up in the morning with this amazing team.
"I can only cope with this because I know I'm not going very far. These guys are going to carry on doing an incredible job. I'm going to get a lie in, but in a couple of weeks, I will be able to welcome you back from your school run or whatever your morning routine is with a cup of tea and Cat next door. And I know that this lot are still going to be doing the best show they possibly can for you as well. So thank you. Thank you for making this so special."
Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley will make their This Morning debut on Monday 11 March. Good Morning Britain returns on Monday at 6am on ITV and ITV X.
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