Good Morning Britain viewers were moved to tears on Thursday when former presenter Ben Shephard made an unexpected return to the ITV programme. The surprise appearance was arranged to honour Jacob Newson, a young Pride of Britain award winner who has raised over £160,000 for charity in memory of his mother.
Jacob, an avid fan of This Morning and Ben Shephard, was invited to the studio alongside Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley. Unbeknownst to him, the GMB team had planned a special surprise. Ben stepped into the spotlight, astonishing Jacob, and also delivered an exclusive message from his favourite football team, leaving the young boy in joyful tears.
Susanna Reid expressed her delight at Ben's return, saying, 'Lovely to see you back!' Ben himself felt a sense of nostalgia, remarking, 'Gosh, it's funny being back!' Co-host Richard Madeley quipped, 'Fancy taking over Ben?'
Viewers took to social media to share their emotional reactions. One wrote, '#GMB What an amazing inspiring young man. I cannot stop crying #prideofbritain @GMB.' Another tweeted, 'Oh god, I'm crying at 7.45am, his reaction to being a mascot at Leeds #GMB.'
Jacob lost his mother, Andrea, to breast cancer in December 2020 when she was seven years old. Since then, he and his father Andrew have completed numerous fundraising challenges, including scaling Ben Nevis, the Yorkshire Three Peaks, Mount Toubkal in Morocco, and a four-day hike across the Pyrenees. Their efforts have raised over £160,000 for St Gemma's Hospice in Leeds and the RAF Benevolent Fund.
Jacob was recently honoured at the 25th Pride of Britain Awards, where he received the Good Morning Britain Young Fundraiser of the Year award. Known as 'Jacob the Pilot' due to his love of aviation, he said his mother would probably be 'filling heaven up' with her tears following his accolade.
