Ben Shephard’s Surprising Departure from This Morning for Secret Adventure
Ben Shephard surprised fans of This Morning today by announcing he’ll be taking a brief hiatus from the show. Wrapping up the episode, Shephard shared that he’s headed across the globe to work on a mysterious new ITV project, leaving his co-host Cat Deeley, and the audience, guessing about what might be next for him, according to the Express.
“I have some news to share,” Shephard revealed on air. “I’m taking a couple of weeks away to go and work on this exciting project for ITV. It’s top secret. I’m going to the other side of the world now after the show. I can’t say where it is though.”
Deeley couldn’t resist probing further, asking, “Are you going to be eating witchetty grubs? Are you going to see my two mates?” A smiling Shephard replied, “I cannot confirm or deny where in the world I am going. I can’t confirm or deny who I’m going to see.” Speculations began to fly as Deeley hinted he might be headed to the I’m A Celebrity jungle. But Shephard kept the suspense alive, promising viewers he’d share the details soon. “On Monday’s show when you’re here with Alison, I will be able to confirm where I am in the world. See you in a few weeks!” he teased.
Shephard joined This Morning earlier this year, having moved over from Good Morning Britain, where he frequently co-hosted with Susanna Reid and Kate Garraway. On This Morning, he’s taken up the role of Monday-to-Thursday host alongside Deeley, while Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary take over on Fridays. During Shephard’s absence, Hammond will be stepping in to cover his hosting duties.
Today’s episode featured chef James Martin, who shared tips for the festive season, including how to perfect roast potatoes and elevate brussels sprouts. Shephard and Deeley sampled Martin’s recommended cheeses, adding a seasonal touch to the show.
The episode also included a segment on wellness, where Shephard experienced a treatment involving warm oil poured onto his forehead, followed by a gentle massage on his “third eye,” aiming to promote relaxation and well-being.
The show’s lighter segments were contrasted by a humorous interview with a “fake” Donald Trump following his fictional election win, which sparked mixed reactions on social media. One viewer commented, “#ThisMorning ridiculous and not at all funny! Go away nobody is enjoying this rubbish,” while another wrote, “@ThisMorning well that’s done in bad taste, changing channel.”
As Shephard jets off for his mystery project, fans are left eagerly waiting to see what he’s up to and what revelations he’ll bring back to This Morning.