Ben Shephard's Fitness Triumph and New ITV Adventure Show
At 51, Ben Shephard is celebrating the best physical condition of his life, recently gracing the cover of Men's Health magazine with a topless shoot that outperformed global icons like David Beckham and Jason Statham in sales. This achievement has garnered him a fresh wave of admirers, whom he hopes will support his latest venture, the ITV series The Summit. The show, described as one of the most demanding challenge series ever produced, features contestants scaling a mountain in New Zealand's Southern Alps for a £200,000 prize.
The Summit: A High-Stakes Adventure
In The Summit, 14 diverse participants, including a vicar, landlady, tour guides, football scouts, former Olympians, and a beauty coach, compete in a game of strategy and endurance. Shephard, who also hosts Tipping Point and This Morning, explains that only those reaching the peak will share the cash reward. He notes, "I went up the mountain with the contestants via helicopter, while they camped on the slopes. We conducted live eviction shows on the edge, thanks to advanced technology like Elon Musk's Starlink satellites, which enabled real-time communication from our mountain-top studio." The series premieres on ITV on Tuesday at 9pm.
Fitness Journey and Family Life
Shephard attributes his fitness resurgence to a renewed focus on work-life balance after turning 50. He views exercise as a form of meditation, stating, "It's my time to switch off and push myself physically." Inspired by social media challenges from fans, such as completing 50 press-ups or a 50km run, he aimed to match or surpass his fitness level from age 38. The relatable aspect of his journey—a father hitting 50—resonated with the public, making his Men's Health cover a bestseller.
Off-screen, Shephard lives with his wife of 22 years, Annie, and their two sons, Sam, 21, and Jack, 19, in a £3.5 million home in Richmond, London. He humorously claims to be fitter than his sons, saying, "I can still do more pull-ups than them," but admits to often procrastinating before workouts. Annie plays a crucial role, nudging him to exercise when he becomes impatient or snappy, which he says transforms his mood.
Television Career and Future Projects
Shephard's path to TV stardom began with a degree in dance and theatre arts, leading to local work in the Midlands. His big break came via presenter Andi Peters, who recruited him for Channel 4's T4 after an unsuccessful Disney audition. However, early setbacks included being fired by a Channel 4 executive who doubted his talent, an experience he describes as "brutal" but motivating.
Today, Shephard is a staple on ITV, hosting hits like The X Factor, Ninja Warrior, and This Morning with Cat Deeley. Never resting on his laurels, he plans to launch a men's health podcast and a skincare brand with friend Joel Dommett, aiming to educate men on self-care. Additionally, he is touring with football pundit Chris Kamara, embracing the booming podcasting scene. Reflecting on his varied career, Shephard concludes, "I love the dynamic pace and wouldn't have it any other way."
