Good Morning Britain viewers claimed ITV bosses have made ‘a rookie mistake’ signing Ben Shephard up to This Morning as he works so well with Kate Garraway.
Ben, 49, has been a pillar of support to Kate, 56, after she returned to the show just days after her husband Derek Draper’s funeral.
The former political lobbyist passed away aged 56 on January 3 from a cardiac arrest, following years of multiple health complications after contracting Covid.
As This Morning announced Ben will now be the permanent host alongside Cat Deeley after the departures of both Holly WIlloughby and Phillip Schofield, some viewers questioned why bosses have decided to break a good TV partnership up.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one wrote: ‘I’m not sure why they would give the job to Ben when he works really well with Kate and Susanna on gmb.’
Good Morning Britain viewers claimed ITV bosses have made ‘a rookie mistake’ signing Ben Shephard up to This Morning as he works so well with Kate Garraway
Ben, 49, has been a pillar of support to Kate, 56, after she returned to the show just days after her husband Derek Draper’s funeral
Others called for Kate to have taken up a new role as This Morning host alongside Ben.
They wrote: ‘Ben and Kate would have been perfect!’ and ‘Sad Ben’s leaving GMB, he and Kate work so well together’.
‘Should have kept Ben and Kate together. Rookie mistake.’
‘I’m not sure why they would give the job to Ben when he works really well with Kate and Susanna on GMB’ and ‘Ben yes with Kate Garraway’.
Kate talked about the support Ben gave her throughout Derek’s health battle and said he had been brilliant in the weeks that had passed since her husband’s death as many didn’t know what the right thing to say to her family was.
She told OK! when Derek first fell ill in 2020: ‘He’s been phenomenal. For 20 years, Ben has had to do so much for me, but this year has been another level.
‘He has been at the end of the phone and trying to do everything that he can to help. To be serious for a minute, it has been a huge pressure on him.
‘Working alongside somebody that you care for and you are worried about, plus also trying to do the job. It’s a huge thing and I’m very grateful that he has been there and I’m aware how tough it’s been for him. He has been amazing.’
Susanna Reid, who also regularly presented Good Morning Britain with Ben after her co-host Piers Morgan quit live on air in 2021, joked the team would have to send out ‘Ben comfort blankets’ to viewers.
She shared a photo of Ben from the Good Morning Britain show launch back in 2014.
Derek (pictured with their daughter Darcey and son Billy) passed away aged 56 on January 3 from a cardiac arrest, following years of multiple health complications after contracting Covid
Viewers reacted to This Morning unveiling their new permanent presenters, Cat Deeley and Ben, on Friday
Susanna Reid , who regularly presented GMB with Ben after her co-host Piers Morgan quit live on air in 2021, joked the team would have to send out ‘Ben comfort blankets’ to viewers
Ben has presented Good Morning Britain ever since the show started back in 2014
Taking to X, formerly Twitter , one wrote: ‘I’m not sure why they would give the job to Ben when he works really well with Kate and Susanna on gmb’
Kate talked about the support Ben gave her throughout Derek’s health battle and said he had been brilliant in the weeks that had passed since her husband’s death
Susanna wrote: ‘Huge good luck @benshephard. We’ll have to send out Ben comfort blankets to @gmb viewers! From launch morning (below) you’ve woken everyone up with a smile. @thismorning aere lucky to have you.’
Of the signing, Ben said: ‘This really feels like a very special moment for Cat and I to be part of the next chapter of This Morning. It’s an honour to be trusted with the reigns, join Alison and Dermot and all the team that work on and off screen and do such a great job.
‘For the last ten years I’ve been waking up with our ITV daytime audience on GMB and I now look forward to spending time with Cat…
‘Welcoming the viewers home after the school run or from their early morning routines, with a cup of tea and a mix of everything that makes This Morning so loved.’
Cat added: ‘This Morning is a national institution. Whenever it’s on, it’s like having your friends over – funny, smart, silly, heartfelt, informative and joyful – like all the greatest friendships!…
‘This Morning is and always will be the viewer’s show. Ben and I both know how much people love it, and with the help of an amazing team of people, we’re going to do our best to take care of it.’