GMB star Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley became the permanent hosts of This Morning from March 2024 – but it meant he had to leave co-star Kate Garraway.
Back in February, Ben revealed just how hard a decision it has been to leave Kate at GMB.
Ben and Cat on This Morning
This Morning finally found a new permanent hosting duo in February.
The news was announced by Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary on the show at the time. A promo clip of Ben walking through the This Morning studio and putting a portrait of Cat up on the wall was also shown.
“This really feels like a very special moment for Cat and I to be part of the next chapter of This Morning. It’s an honour to be trusted with the reigns, join Alison and Dermot and all the team that work on and off screen and do such a great job,” Ben said in a statement.
Cat then added: “This Morning is a national institution. Whenever it’s on, it’s like having your friends over – funny, smart, silly, heartfelt, informative, and joyful – like all the greatest friendships!”
Ben Shephard makes heartbreaking confession about Kate Garraway
Later, Ben admitted that leaving Kate at GMB was the “hardest decision” about joining This Morning.
“I’ve loved hosting Good Morning Britain over the past 10 years since it launched. When I left GMTV, I always swore I’d never go back because of the early mornings and it goes to show how wrong I was,” he said.
He then said his GMB family is only in the studio next door. He added that if he feels nostalgic, he’ll know they’re not far away.
Ben on leaving GMB
“Although I’ll miss being on screen with them, my later starts mean I may be able to hang out with them all a bit more!” he then continued.
“One of the hardest decisions of course is knowing that my mornings with Kate, my on-screen wife of nearly 20 years, is coming to an end. Her journey has been well documented. I think we would all agree how remarkable she has been over the last four years,” he then said.
“I won’t miss the mess but I’ve learned so much from her, as I have from all of the people I’ve been lucky enough to work alongside.”
Read more: Ben Shephard insists he’ll stay at Tipping Point amid concern from fans after This Morning gig
This Morning airs on weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and ITVX.
So what do you think? Head to our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and then let us know what you think.