Ben Shephard was overwhelmed with emotion as he reminisced on his time at Good Morning Britain during his final day hosting the show on Friday.
The presenter became tearful as he was surprised by his colleagues with a montage of his best bits after a decade of hosting with longtime friend Kate Garraway.
Ben is off to This Morning after it was revealed last week that he will join Cat Deeley as the new permanent hosts of This Morning.
After starting his career on Channel 4 back in 1998, the star joined Good Morning Britain in 2014, hosting the show on Thursdays and Fridays alongside Kate and Susanna Reid.
Here MailOnline takes a look back at some of Ben’s best moments on the show as viewers bid goodbye to the star.
Ben Shephard’s top ten best moments on Good Morning Britain as the presenter bids goodbye to the show on Friday ahead of This Morning job
It’s not just the viewers who love Ben, after Coronation Street’s Mary Taylor was revealed to also be a superfan back in 2020
Ben’s Iconic Coronation Street Moment
It’s not just the viewers who love Ben, after Coronation Street’s Mary Taylor was revealed to also be a superfan back in 2020.
The soap favourite, played by Patti Clare, ordered a blanket covered in Ben’s face as she confessed she wanted to know what it would feel like ‘to be wrapped in his arms’ as she offers her ‘Ben’ to Sean (Anthony Cotton) to cheer him up.
‘I haven’t had a cuddle from a handsome man in many moon and I thought what could be more reassuring than to be wrapped in the arms of the always smiling ever kind Ben Shephard,’ she gushed.
Joking about the clip alongside Kate, teased: ‘I feel like I need to move out of the way’, as Ben told the actress: ‘Patti take me, take me, you can have me!’
Kate jokingly added: ‘Yes, come on, let’s make this happen.’
The soap favourite, played by Patti Clare, ordered a blanket covered in Ben’s face as she confessed she wanted to know what it would feel like ‘to be wrapped in his arms’, sending Ben and Kate into hysterics
The Queen’s Death and The King’s Coronation
During Ben’s final show on Friday he listed covering the Queen’s Funeral as one of his highlights during his career.
He explained: ‘It’s those big moments in life when you feel like you are part of something the whole world is watching’.
Ben and Susanna both hosted a special tribute episode of GMB following the Queen’s passing as they replayed her famous clip with Paddington Bear.
The duo also covered the funeral as they were broadcast live from Westminster Abbey on September 19 2022 as they paid a heartfelt tribute to the Queen and her ability to ‘speak to the nation in good times and bad’.
Ben also mentioned the King’s Coronation as another career highlight after Ben and his co-stars covered the Coronation special episode.
Their segment famously descended into chaos after a presenter appeared to swear live on air, resulting in viewers wrongly accusing longtime host Susanna Reid of the live gaffe.
Ben and Susanna presented a special tribute episode following the death of the Queen
Good Morning Britain’s Coronation Special descended into chaos after a presenter appeared to swear live on air
Bromance with Chris Kamara
It was Ben who persuaded Chris Kamara to open up about his devastating speech disorder.
The former footballer turned pundit and presenter, known affectionately as Kammy, has been battling with apraxia of speech, a rare neurological condition which causes him to slur his words.
As Chris struggled to come to terms with his life-changing diagnosis and tried to hide it from worried fans and colleagues, it was his best friend Ben who persuaded him to go public with it.
Chris first spoke about his condition on GMB and Sportsmail that the appearance proved to be the ‘first step’ in his recovery and the relief he felt in everyone finally knowing the truth was immense.
‘I’m so glad Ben talked to me about doing GMB because in many ways, I’d say I’m 70% better since that day. Acceptance was the hardest thing but now I’ve got this clear determination to help other people with speech conditions.’
Chris Kamara has previously shared how his close friendship with Ben has helped him open up about his condition, after he first spoke about it on GMB
Inspirational Pride of Britain star Ella Chadwick
Ben was joined during his final episode by two of his personal heroes, one being Pride Of Britain winner Ella Chadwick, 16 – who was born with congenital nephrotic syndrome, a rare kidney disease.
As Ella surprised the presenter on Friday as she appeared in the iconic Ben blanket to give him a big hug.
‘I can’t believe you kept this a secret?!’ Ben exclaimed, ‘It’s lovely to see you’.
The pair met at the Pride Of Sport Awards in 2017 before Ella went on to win the Child of Courage award at Pride of Britain a year later.
Speaking on Friday, Ben described her as ‘sunshine personified’, continuing: ‘She exudes joy and happiness despite everything that she has been through and we just had such a brilliant laugh and stayed great mates since.’
‘Everytime she comes in she inspires us and she just makes us realise that no matter what we’re going through there is a reason to smile’.
As Ella surprised the presenter on Friday as she appeared in the iconic Ben blanket to give him a big hug
‘Everytime she comes in she inspires us and she just makes us realise that no matter what we’re going through there is a reason to smile’ (pictured on Ella’s 13th birthday in 2021)
Brian Wood’s 25 Marathons in 25 Days
Ben was also surprised by army veteran Brian Wood on Friday, after Ben cited him as another of his inspirational heroes.
Brian set himself the challenge of 25 marathons in 25 days back in 2021 to remember fallen soldiers.
Ben joined Brian on one of his runs, choosing to cycle instead due to a knee injury, with Ben’s final fundraising total coming in at an incredible £136,000.
The presenter said at the time: ‘The thing about Brian, is he’s so humble, he won’t talk about the pain, the absolute brutal pain he’s been in, and I ran with him, or I cycled with him because of my knee, and it was extraordinary watching him.’
Brian praised his pal as he said: ‘He is like the perfect human. On and off the camera he doesn’t change. He has supported me and my family and we have become quite close’.
Ben was also surprised by army veteran Brian Wood on Friday, after Ben cited him as another of his inspirational heroes
Appearing on Friday’s episode, Brian praised his pal as he said: ‘He is like the perfect human. On and off the camera he doesn’t change’
Awkward Blunder: ‘Wee Willie W***y’
One thing is for sure, GMB is always live, and with live TV comes the risk of not always getting your words at right.
On his penultimate day on the show, Ben put his foot in it for the final time as he made an unfortunate muddle of his words.
As Lorraine introduced her show, she showcased an array of costumes, pointing at a silk white shirt she joked: ‘Ben that was made for you.’
However his words got caught up as he exclaimed: ‘I thought it was Wee Willy W***y’s, Wee Willy Winkie’s nightgown.’
He might have thought he had gotten away with it, but Lorraine and Kate quickly burst into hysterics as they reacted to the blunder.
‘Wee Willy W***y’ repeated Lorraine, ‘How very dare you!’
On his penultimate day on the show, Ben put his foot in it for the final time as he made an unfortunate muddle of his words
Flirting Moments
Ben was treated to a look back at some of his flirty moments in a wrap up of his best bits – as his wife Annie Perks watched on.
A hit with the ladies, the star was scene charming pop sensation Madonna, as he was seen leaning close to the star while they shared a giggle during a past interview.
Ben was also seen posing playfully alongside Susanna as she rubbed her hands on his chest in an apparent exercise segment.
In another, Ben was seen lying shirtless in bed as he pulled the covers back and said: ‘There’s lots of room Lorraine’.
Lorraine then appeared on screen and cheekily said: ‘I could teach you a thing or two Ben Shephard.’
Ben was also seen posing playfully alongside Susanna as she rubbed her hands on his chest in an apparent exercise segment
In another, Ben was seen lying shirtless in bed as he pulled the covers back and said: ‘There’s lots of room Lorraine’
Work Wife Kate Garraway
Throughout his time at Good Morning Britain, his work wife Kate Garraway has always been by his side.
Most recently Ben has been a real pillar of support for Kate after the death of her husband Derek Draper in January, following years of multiple health complications after contracting Covid.
Ben recently took to his Instagram to share a sweet photo with Kate as he admitted leaving his work wife of 20 years was the hardest part of accepting his new job at This Morning.
He said: ‘One of the hardest decisions of course is knowing that my mornings with Kate, my on-screen wife of nearly 20 years, is coming to an end.
‘I won’t miss the mess but I’ve learned so much from her, as I have from all of the people I’ve been lucky enough to work alongside’.
Following the news Kate took to Instagram to congratulate Ben and Cat, while admitting just how much she would miss working with him.
Alongside a snap of them laughing she wrote: ‘Massive congrats to @benshephardofficial on the @itv @thismorning gig’.
‘You’ll be SOOOOO missed by EVERYONE @gmb viewers and the team alike & ofcourse especially me. BUT after 24 years hard labour by my side no one will begrudge you time off for good behaviour!!!’
Before she added: ‘Good luck swapping early starts for (abit) of a lie in and a Kate for a Cat! @catdeeley can’t wait to see you – you’ll have a ball’
Throughout his time at Good Morning Britain, his work wife of 20 years Kate Garraway has always been by his side
Following the news Kate took to Instagram to congratulate Ben and Cat, while admitting just how much she would miss working with him
Momentous Travel Experiences
Ben also achieved a journalistic first at the beginning of the career after he travelled to India.
The star revealed he was the first European journalist to ever broadcast live from the Taj Mahal as he recounted his greatest moments.
A travelling enthusiast he also mentioned that he travelled the world in a year.
Ben previously told the Independent that he experienced a bitter-sweet moment in his career when he went to Haiti with GMTV after their devastating earthquake in 2010.
He told the publication: ‘I’ve never experienced anything like it: the absolute devastation of a country because of a natural disaster. It was fascinating meeting the people, but in the last few days I got food poisoning.
‘We had to film in this makeshift shelter. I was chatting with this beautiful family and it was about 50C in their tent; I was so ill but that was their daily existence.’
Daisy May Cooper’s Reveals Crush on Ben
Daisy May Cooper revealed her huge crush on Ben last year as she made it known she had a real soft spot for the married father-of-two.
Producers gave the star a Ben-themed set-up in the green room complete with a blanket, mug, photos, and other memorabilia which featured Ben’s face.
She became overwhelmed when she arrived in the studio with the precious Ben blanket where she embraced the TV host who gave her a warm welcome and embrace.
Daisy was over the moon to be speaking to her long-term crush, and soon joined him on the sofa alongside Susanna Reid who had to move from her ‘usual’ seat on the couch to let the actress sit closer to Ben.
Ben took the opportunity to ask about a new series of Am I Being Unreasonable, but Daisy joked: ‘I just got lost in your eyes!’
Daisy May Cooper revealed her huge crush on Ben Shephard during Good Morning Britain last year
But with the knowledge that Daisy has a real soft spot for the married father-of-two, 48, producers gave the star a Ben-themed set-up in the green room complete with a blanket, mug, photos, and other memorabilia which featured Ben’s face
Magaluf Confession
Ben was joined by his wife of 20 years Annie Perks for his final episode as she watched on as her husband celebrated his best moments.
However before the couple met Ben had a more wild side after he previously confessed to Kate and Susanna live on air that he ‘hasn’t got rid of what he caught’ from a ‘northern girl’ during a trip to Magaluf ‘back in the day.’
Back in 2020 Ben said he had an ‘unforgettable night’ experiencing the night life for a BBC holiday programme at the infamous Mallorcan resort.
He explained: ‘I went to one of those foam parties in Magaluf once and I’ve not forgotten it. I’ve not got rid of what I caught, either.
‘I was filming for the BBC Holiday programme back in the day. I thought this would be brilliant and it just wasn’t.
‘I seem to remember she was Northern and that’s about all I can remember,’ causing Kate to shriek in horror.’
Ben’s wife Annie joined her husband on set for his final day. The couple married in 2004
