Ben Shephard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ben Shephard
Shephard in 2013
Born	Benjamin Peter Sherrington Shephard (1974-12-11) 11 December 1974 (age 50) Epping, Essex, England
Alma mater	University of Birmingham
Occupation	Television presenter journalist
Years active	1998–present
Employer	ITV
Television	GMTV The Xtra Factor The Krypton Factor Goals on Sunday Tipping Point Good Morning Britain Ninja Warrior UK This Morning
Spouse(s)	Annie Perks ​ (m. 2004)​
Children	2

Ben Shephard is a well-known English TV presenter and journalist. He was born on December 11, 1974. He currently co-hosts the popular show This Morning on ITV, a role he started in 2024 alongside Cat Deeley.

Before joining This Morning, Ben was a main presenter on the breakfast show GMTV. He also co-hosted Good Morning Britain from 2014 until 2024 with Susanna Reid and Kate Garraway. Ben has also hosted other popular shows like The Krypton Factor (2009–2010), Tipping Point (since 2012), and Ninja Warrior UK (2015–2019, 2022).

In 2012, Ben helped welcome athletes from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games at their homecoming parade in Trafalgar Square.

Ben Shephard's Early Life and School

Ben Shephard went to Chigwell School, which is an independent school in Essex, England. After school, he studied Dance, Drama, and Theatre Arts at the University of Birmingham.

Ben first wanted to be an actor. While at university, he joined a local weather network. He started as a "runner," which is the most junior job on a TV crew. A producer then encouraged him to become a TV presenter.

Ben Shephard's TV Career

Starting Out at Channel 4

Ben's TV career began in 1998. He started hosting The Bigger Breakfast on Channel 4. He worked alongside other presenters like Josie D'Arby and Dermot O'Leary. In the same year, Ben became the first presenter for T4's teen shows on Channel 4. He also presented a show called Control Freaks in 1998.

Ben returned to Channel 4 in 2013 to co-host a cooking show called What's Cooking?. He hosted one series with Lisa Faulkner before leaving Channel 4 in May 2013.

Working at ITV

Ben Shephard has had a long career with ITV.

Between 2004 and 2006, he presented the first three series of The Xtra Factor on ITV2. This show was a spin-off from The X Factor. He left the show after three series.

Ben Shephard in 2006

From 2005 to 2011, Ben was a stand-in presenter on This Morning, filling in for Phillip Schofield. He continued to be a regular stand-in presenter from 2015 onwards. In 2024, it was announced that Ben would become a permanent presenter on This Morning, hosting from Monday to Thursday with Cat Deeley.

In 2006, Ben co-presented Soapstar Superstar, a singing contest, with Fern Britton. He also co-hosted Dancing on Ice Exclusive in 2007, which was a spin-off from the main Dancing on Ice show. In 2008, he co-presented Who Dares, Sings! with Denise van Outen.

Ben hosted music specials for ITV, including Rod Stewart: One Night Only in 2009 and Phil Collins: One Night Only in 2010.

In 2009, ITV brought back the classic game show The Krypton Factor, and Ben was chosen to present it. He hosted two successful series. In 2010, Ben also co-presented Dancing on Ice Friday with Coleen Nolan.

Since 2012, Ben has presented the popular daytime game show Tipping Point. He also hosts the celebrity version, Tipping Point: Lucky Stars.

Ben co-presented two episodes of the factual series Mystery Map with Julia Bradbury in 2013.

Since 2015, Ben has co-presented the Saturday night game show Ninja Warrior UK for ITV. He hosts it alongside Rochelle Humes and Chris Kamara.

ITV Breakfast Shows

Ben joined the breakfast show GMTV in 2000. He first presented Entertainment Today with Jenni Falconer. He also became a main relief presenter for GMTV Today. After 2005, Ben became a main co-host on GMTV Today with Fiona Phillips and later with Kate Garraway.

On July 30, 2010, Ben left GMTV to spend more time with his family and focus on charity work. GMTV ended two months later.

In 2014, ITV launched a new breakfast show called Good Morning Britain. Ben was announced as a presenter for this new show. He started on April 28, 2014, hosting on Thursdays and Fridays. He worked with Susanna Reid and Kate Garraway.

In 2024, Ben announced he would leave Good Morning Britain to become a permanent presenter on This Morning. His last Good Morning Britain show was on February 23, 2024.

Working at Sky

On July 27, 2010, Ben announced he had signed a contract with Sky Sports. He presented Goals on Sunday with Chris Kamara. He also hosted live coverage of the UEFA Champions League on Sky Sports. He was the main presenter for Sky Sports' coverage of the League Cup.

In 2011, Ben hosted an eight-part game show for Sky One called Safebreakers.

Ben left Goals on Sunday on June 28, 2019, to spend more time with his family.

Working at the BBC

In the early 2000s, Ben was a regular presenter for EastEnders Revealed on BBC Choice. In 2007, he presented the BBC entertainment series DanceX.

From 2008 to 2009, Ben presented the National Lottery game show 1 vs. 100. He took over from Dermot O'Leary.

In June 2012, Ben appeared as a guest on the sports show A Question Of Sport. The next month, he announced he had left the BBC to focus on his work with Sky Sports and ITV.

Radio Work

In 2006, Ben was a presenter on Magic Radio, hosting a Saturday breakfast show. He returned to radio in 2008, presenting a Monday evening show on Heat Radio.

Other Projects

Ben appeared in the 2004 TV film A Bear's Christmas Tail as a carol singer. He also had a small, uncredited role in the 2009 movie Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, playing a father in Diagon Alley. In 2009, Ben was on an episode of Bookaboo on CITV.

In 2012, he was a studio host for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games within the Olympic park. He also worked as a stadium commentator, introducing events and interviewing celebrity guests.

In 2013, Ben was the face of Warburtons lunch thins. He has also been a judge for the Pride of Britain Awards many times.

Ben holds a Guinness World Record. In 2010, he set the record for smashing the most pumpkins in one minute. He previously held records for the highest reverse bungee jump (2008) and tossing the most pancakes in one minute (2009), but these were later broken.

Ben Shephard's Personal Life

Ben Shephard married Annie Perks on March 25, 2004, in Salcombe, Devon. They met while they were both students at the University of Birmingham. They have two sons.

Ben enjoys playing both rugby and football.

In August 2024, Ben shared that he was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Charity Work

Ben supports several charities, including the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Haven House Children's Hospice, and the Holly Lodge Centre. To help raise money, Ben takes part in many physical challenges. Since 2000, he has completed 14 marathons.

Ben has played for England in Soccer Aid multiple times (2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2019). Soccer Aid events raise money for the Unicef charity. In 2016, he received a red card during a match. In 2018, he was an England Coach for Soccer Aid due to an injury.

One of Ben's charity challenges was a boxing match against the singer Lemar for the Sport Relief appeal. After training, Ben won the match.

In early 2009, Ben and eight other celebrities climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for Comic Relief. The team included Cheryl Cole, Gary Barlow, and Chris Moyles. They raised over £3.3 million in total.

In 2010, Ben and his friend Ivan ran the Coast-to-Coast Challenge. They ran 145 miles in five days and raised over £120,000 for the Children's Heart Unit Fund at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne.

In March 2011, Ben designed special underwear for charity to help raise awareness of Prostate Cancer. He also helped raise money for the charity Seb4Chuf in January 2014. In September 2017, he played in a charity football match called Game 4 Grenfell.

Ben Shephard's Filmography

Television Shows

Movies

Radio Shows

Books

• Humble Heroes: Inspirational stories of hope, heart and humanity (Blink Publishing, 2022) ISBN: 978-1788707657