Ben Shephard Caught Off Guard by Celebrity’s Unexpected Strictly Reveal
Ben Shephard was visibly taken aback during Wednesday’s episode of This Morning when a celebrity guest dropped an unexpected Strictly Come Dancing bombshell, according to the Express.
The ITV show kicked off with a surprise 50th birthday celebration for Ben, featuring heartfelt messages from his celebrity friends and colleagues. However, it was comedian Chris McCausland’s cheeky video message that sparked excitement. Speaking from his dressing room at the Strictly studios, McCausland hinted, “I am sending you this message from my dressing room here at Strictly studios, a dressing room that I am told could be yours next year if you’d like it. Remember, 50, not too old… the contract’s ready!”
The playful suggestion left Ben momentarily speechless before breaking into a smile. The touching tribute also included messages from Ben’s former Good Morning Britain co-host Kate Garraway and This Morning regulars Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, as reported by The Mirror.
Fans quickly took to social media to share their birthday wishes, with Twitter buzzing with comments such as “Happy 50th birthday Ben #ThisMorning” and “#ThisMorning Happy birthday Ben!”
The celebratory moment came after a turbulent day for This Morning. On Tuesday, the show experienced a technical glitch that abruptly took it off-air, leaving viewers staring at an apology message during the December 10 broadcast. While the disruption was short-lived, social media was abuzz with viewers commenting on the issue. One user posted, “ITV has been disrupted #ThisMorning,” while another simply wrote, “ITV is off air.”
Adding to the recent buzz, Cat Deeley found herself at the center of controversy for what some fans labeled “inappropriate behaviour.” During a light-hearted segment, Ben reminded Cat of a Christmas party gag gift—a swimsuit featuring his face—retrieved by co-host Josie Gibson. Cat initially joked about leaving it behind but later quipped, “I’ll pop it on later.” True to her word, she reappeared after the break wearing the swimsuit over her clothes, prompting mixed reactions online.
Some viewers weren’t amused. A disgruntled fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Surely, this is inappropriate and suggestive behaviour from Cat?”
Despite the hiccups, Ben’s birthday celebration and McCausland’s Strictly tease stole the show, leaving fans speculating whether Ben might hit the dancefloor next year.