Ben Shephard’s start date on This Morning has been revealed.
As the emotional presenter, 39, presented his final episode of Good Morning Britain alongside Kate Garraway, 56, on Friday, entertainment correspondent Richard Arnold, 54, confirmed the news.
He announced that Ben’s debut on This Morning with Cat Deeley, 47, would be on Monday, March 11, just two weeks away.
The duo is becoming he new permanent This Morning presenters, meaning Ben bids farewell to the GMB morning news show after a decade.
His final episode got off to an emotional start as he reflected on his time on the show alongside Kate, who admitted she was struggling to keep it together.
Ben Shephard’s start date on This Morning has been revealed
It has been confirmed that Ben’s This Morning debut with Cat Deeley, 47, will be on Monday, March 11, just two weeks away.
As Ben, 39, presented his final episode of GMB alongside Kate Garraway, 56, on Friday, entertainment correspondent Richard Arnold, 54, announced the news.
Ben and Cat will take over as presenters of This Morning next month, following the departure of Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby last year.
It comes after Ben paid an emotional tribute to his GMB co-host and ‘onscreen wife of 20 years’ Kate.
The Tipping Point presenter said stopping to perform alongside his friend Kate was the “hardest decision” before agreeing to take on the role of Phillip Schofield’s replacement.
The TV favourite, who has presented GMB since 2014, also revealed that the neighboring studios would make it easier for him to call for a catch-up.
He said: “One of the most difficult decisions, of course, is knowing that my mornings with Kate, my on-screen wife of almost 20 years, are coming to an end.”
Addressing the recent loss of her beloved husband Derek Draper, Ben continued: “Her journey has been well documented and I think we would all agree how extraordinary she has been over the past four years.
“I won’t miss out, but I’ve learned a lot from her, as well as from everyone I’ve been lucky enough to work with.”
Following the news, Kate took to Instagram to congratulate Ben and Cat, and admitted how much she would miss working with him.
Alongside a photo of them laughing, he wrote: “Huge congratulations to @benshephardofficial on the @itv @thismorning gig.”
‘You will be MUCH missed by all @gmb viewers and the team and of course especially me. BUT after 24 years of hard work at my side no one will begrudge you the time off for good behavior!!!’
Before adding: ‘Good luck swapping early departures for (a little) rest and a Kate for a cat! @catdeeley I can’t wait to see you, you’ll have a great time’
Cat and Ben have been engaged in conversations for a few months.
Her role on the show will see the star lose her long-standing role on So You Think You Can Dance in the US, where she was reportedly paid £43k per episode; Instead she opted for the role on This Morning with £550k. annual salary.
It had been claimed that she had finally been roped in with a more lucrative deal, but ITV insiders denied the claims, insisting it was the ability to spend more time as a family, with a big payday, that finally sealed the deal.
The news was confirmed via a custom promo on This Morning’s Twitter, which shows Ben walking down the familiar This Morning production hallway and placing a new photo of Cat on the wall, before turning to the camera when he sees her. photo comes to life.
Ben and Cat Deeley were unveiled as the new hosts of This Morning last month with a teaser clip showing their images erected in the corridors of ITV.
Ben said: “It really feels like a very special moment for Cat and I to be part of the next episode of This Morning.” It’s an honor to be entrusted with the reins, to join Alison and Dermot and the entire team who work on and off screen and do great work…
‘For the last ten years I’ve been waking up to our ITV daytime audience on GMB and now I’m looking forward to spending time with Cat…
“Welcoming viewers home after their school run or morning routines, with a cup of tea and a mix of everything that makes This Morning so loved.”
Cat added: ‘This Morning is a national institution. Every time they broadcast it, it’s like inviting your friends: funny, smart, silly, sincere, informative and happy, like all the best friends!…
‘This morning is and always will be the viewer’s program. “Ben and I know how much people love it and, with the help of an incredible team of people, we will do everything we can to take care of it.”