Ben Shephard Reveals Heartbreaking Family Tragedy from Before His Birth
This Morning presenter Ben Shephard has shared intimate details about a devastating family accident that occurred years before he was born, profoundly affecting his mother's childhood and shaping his own upbringing. The 51-year-old television star disclosed that he never had the opportunity to meet his maternal grandfather, who tragically drowned while attempting to save his daughter.
A Childhood Shaped by Loss and Resilience
Shephard explained that his mother was just seven years old when her father lost his life in the river accident. "Mum lost her father when she was seven, he drowned trying to save her sister in a river," the presenter revealed during a candid interview. This tragic event meant his mother grew up in challenging circumstances, with the family surviving on "very little" following the loss of their primary breadwinner.
Despite being privately educated in his hometown of Essex, Shephard maintains strong connections to his working-class roots. He emphasised that both his parents came from modest backgrounds, with his mother's childhood particularly marked by financial hardship after her father's death. "They grew up on one income, with very little," he shared, highlighting how this early adversity shaped his family's values.
Parental Work Ethic and Family Values
The television personality, who also hosts ITV's Tipping Point and previously presented alongside Kate Garraway on GMTV and Good Morning Britain, credits his parents' extraordinary work ethic for the opportunities he received. His father, who left school without qualifications, put himself through night school to become an accountant while maintaining gruelling work hours.
"My dad left school with no qualifications, but put himself through night school to become an accountant," Shephard explained. "He got up at six, went off to the City, came back at eight and worked again." Meanwhile, his mother balanced night shifts as a nurse and midwife with daytime lecturing responsibilities, often managing on minimal sleep. "They passed on their work ethic," Shephard noted with evident pride.
Current Family Life and Personal Reflections
While Shephard typically keeps his private life out of the public eye, he recently discussed his marriage to wife Annie, with whom he has been united since 2004. The couple share two sons: Sam, 21, who is studying mathematics at university, and Jack, 19, who works as a teaching assistant before embarking on travels.
Shephard described their relationship as involving "quite separate lives", with Annie preferring solitude and space at times. "Annie is much more solitary than me. She's much happier in her own company," he shared, while emphasising that she remains "the most important factor in our lives as a family."
The couple are preparing for their imminent transition to empty-nesters, with both sons pursuing their own paths. Shephard, a fitness enthusiast, noted that their differing interests contribute to their independent lifestyles: "I'm off working, she has her job, which is garden and interior design. If I've got spare time I want to do something physical."
Emotional Moments and Family Milestones
Shephard recently experienced an emotional moment on This Morning when discussing his son Jack's 19th birthday. Co-host Cat Deeley prompted reflections about this family milestone, leading Shephard to share a poignant memory. "They had a big party, but it's that moment where...a friend of ours messaged us saying that 19 years ago, Annie held Jack in her arms for the first time," he told viewers, visibly moved. "It was quite a moment, like...'Wow, he's got so big so fast!'"
The presenter, currently fronting ITV's new challenge series The Summit, rarely discusses such personal matters publicly. His decision to share these family stories provides rare insight into the personal experiences that have shaped one of British television's most familiar faces, revealing how family tragedy, resilience, and hard work have been interwoven through generations of his family history.
