Ben Shephard’s last day on Good Morning Britain has been revealed, ahead of his move to This Morning.
The broadcaster, 49, was unveiled as the new presenter of the ITV show alongside Cat Deeley, 47, on Friday after much speculation.
On Thursday’s GMB, Kate, 56, discussed Coronation Street character Mary Taylor’s obsession with Ben.
During the Valentine’s Day episode of the ITV soap, Mary told how she would ‘cry into my Ben Shephard pillow’.
Kate then joked: ‘We’re all going to do that tomorrow. We’ve lost him at Good Morning Britain.’
Ben Shephard’s last day on Good Morning Britain has been revealed, ahead of his move to This Morning
Kate joked: ‘We’re all going to do that tomorrow. We’ve lost him at Good Morning Britain.’
Afterwards, during the competition portion, Andi joked about getting him a present while confirming that “tomorrow is Ben’s last day.”
It comes after Ben paid an emotional tribute to Good Morning Britain co-host and ‘on-screen woman of 20 years’ Kate.
The Tipping Point presenter said no longer presenting alongside girlfriend Kate was the ‘hardest decision’ before agreeing to the role of Phillip Schofield’s replacement.
The telly favourite, who has hosted GMB since 2014, also revealed that the adjacent studios would make it easy for him to catch up.
Saying, “Of course, one of the hardest decisions is knowing that my mornings with Kate, my on-screen wife of almost twenty years, are coming to an end.”
Speaking about her recent loss of beloved husband Derek Draper, Ben continued: “Her journey has been well documented, and I think we can all agree how remarkable she has been over the last four years.”
“I won’t miss the mess, but I learned so much from her, as well as from all the people I’ve been lucky enough to work with.”
Following the news, Kate took to Instagram to congratulate Ben and Cat, while admitting how much she will miss working with him.
During the Valentine’s Day episode of the ITV soap, Mary told how she would ‘cry into my Ben Shephard pillow’.
Afterwards, during the competition portion, Andi joked about getting him a present while confirming that “tomorrow is Ben’s last day.”
It comes after Ben paid an emotional tribute to Good Morning Britain co-host and ‘on-screen woman of 20 years’ Kate
The telly favourite, who has hosted GMB since 2014, also revealed that the adjacent studios would make it easy for him to catch up (pictured together in 2015).
Alongside a photo of them laughing, she wrote: “Huge congratulations @benshephardofficial on the @itv @thismorning performance.”
“You will be SOOOOO missed by EVERYONE @gmb viewers and the team and of course especially me. BUT after 24 years of hard work by my side, no one will begrudge you time off for good behavior!!!’
Before you add: ‘Good luck trading early starts for (a little) sleeping in and a Kate for a cat! @catdeeley can’t wait to see you – you’ll have a ball’
Cat and Ben have been in talks for several months following the departure of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield and will now make their debut next month following the news.
Her role in the show will reportedly see the star lose her old role on So You Think You Can Dance in the US where she was reportedly paid £43,000 per episode – instead she opted for the role on This Morning with a reported £550,000. annual salary.
It was claimed she had finally been won over with a more lucrative deal, but insiders at ITV denied the claims and insisted it was the opportunity to spend more time with family, during a big-money payday, that ultimately sealed the deal.
The news was confirmed via a bespoke promo on This Morning’s Twitter, which sees Ben walking down the familiar This Morning production corridor and hanging a new photo of Cat on the wall, before turning to the camera as the photo comes to life .
Following the news, Kate took to Instagram to congratulate Ben and Cat, while admitting how much she will miss working with him
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 is an honor to be entrusted with the leadership. Join Alison and Dermot and the whole team who work both on and off screen doing such amazing work’
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 is an honor to be entrusted with the leadership. Join Alison and Dermot and the whole team who work both on and off screen doing such amazing work…
‘Over the past ten years I’ve been waking up to our ITV daytime audience on GMB and I’m now looking forward to spending time with Cat…
‘Welcoming viewers home after the school run or their early morning routine, with a cup of tea and a mix of everything that makes This Morning so loved.’
Cat added: “This Morning is a national institution. Whenever it’s on, it’s like having your friends over – funny, smart, silly, sincere, informative and cheerful – like all best friendships!…
‘This morning is and remains the viewer’s show. Ben and I both know how much people love it, and with the help of a great team of people, we’re going to do our best to make it happen.
During the show, presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary discussed the news and showed a throwback photo of Dermot, Andi Peters and Ben. Dermot joked: ‘Am on T4, that’s actually from last week!’, while Alison replied: ‘Look at Andi Peters!’
Moving on to Cat, Dermot said: “I’ve known Cat for so long,” while Alison revealed that she first met Cat at a party in Los Angeles about four years ago and they bonded because they were both from Birmingham.
Holly and Phil both left the ITV daytime show last year and a rotating group of stars have been at the helm since then
She told Dermot: ‘I met her in LA. We are both Brummies. I met her about four years ago, we met in LA at a party. We are so happy that they are joining the Ben and Cat family. This is going to be so much fun.”
Dermot said: ‘The secret is out!’, while Alison revealed: ‘They’ll be joining us in March’.
This Morning’s editor Martin Frizell said: ‘The team and I have enjoyed the opportunity to try new things over the past few months and remind viewers what a hugely talented team we have here at This Morning, both on as off screen…
“We can’t wait to fully welcome Ben and Cat to the group next month and witness the start of a new exciting chapter in the show’s 35-year journey.”
Managing Director, ITV Studios Daytime, Emma Gormley added: ‘I’m immensely proud of everyone who works on This Morning – for a program that has evolved many times over the last 35 years, it remains as relevant and exciting as ever…
‘We’re thrilled to have Ben and Cat as our new This Morning hosts and can’t wait to see them together on that famous sofa soon.’