Ben Shephard has presented his final episode of Good Morning Britain, marking the end of an era before he takes up his new role co-hosting This Morning alongside Cat Deeley. He signed off alongside long-time colleague Kate Garraway, with whom he has worked on ITV for decades.
During the farewell programme, Shephard reflected on his time with the show, calling it “a real privilege” to cover major events such as the Queen’s funeral and the King’s Coronation. He said the standout memories were of the people – colleagues, guests, and viewers – who made the job special. Fellow presenters Susanna Reid, Charlotte Hawkins, Richard Arnold, and others joined him on the sofa to say goodbye.
Tributes poured in from Lorraine Kelly, Martin Lewis, and former footballer Chris Kamara, who called Shephard “one of the nicest fellas.” Folk group Fisherman’s Friends performed a song in his honour. Messages from former GMTV colleagues John Stapleton and Fiona Phillips also aired, with Phillips saying she was “so excited” for him.
Shephard joked that he would now enjoy a lie-in with the later start of This Morning, but expressed gratitude for the “brilliant, incredible, gorgeous, talented, challenging, chaotic, annoying, fabulous people” who made him better at his job. He also thanked viewers for trusting him to wake them up each morning.
Shephard and Deeley will join This Morning next month, hosting Monday to Thursday, while Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary remain on Fridays. Shephard described the move as an “exciting opportunity” and noted he would not be going far, as the This Morning studio is just “the other side of the wall.”
