Ben Shephard, the This Morning presenter, has marked his 22nd wedding anniversary with a heartfelt tribute to his wife Annie, whom he described as the "best thing to ever happen to me". The couple, who have been married for over two decades, share two sons, Sam, 21, and Jack, 19.
Sharing a rare photo of Annie on social media, Shephard wrote: "So 22 yrs ago today @mrsannieshephard said 'oh go on then' and that was that!" He added: "It might have taken me 9 yrs to realise it and to ask her to marry me but she's still the best thing to happen to me." The post drew supportive comments from fellow TV personalities, including Joel Dommett and This Morning co-star Cat Deeley.
The couple met while studying at the University of Birmingham and tied the knot in 2004 in Salcombe, Devon. Despite his public profile, Shephard is notoriously private about his home life, though he has occasionally offered glimpses into their relationship.
In a recent interview, Shephard revealed their differing temperaments, noting that Annie is "much more solitary" and often values her own space. However, he emphasised that she remains the "most important factor in our lives as a family". The pair are preparing to become empty-nesters, with their younger son working as a teaching assistant before travelling, and their elder son studying maths at university.
Shephard also described their separate routines: he focuses on his broadcasting career and fitness pursuits, while Annie works in garden and interior design. Despite their independent lives, he credits her with being the cornerstone of their family.
