Ben Shephard, age 45, is best known for presenting ITV's Good Morning Britain alongside co-host Kate Garraway. He is also the presenter on weekday quiz show Tipping Point.
We chat to him about how he got through lockdown, what it's like working with Kate, and how he feels about 20 years of presenting.
"I thought I would last about 20 minutes in telly - not 20 years! I love it so much and even though the landscape changes, it still makes me smile. I am constantly looking forward, never back, and meeting the different people is so inspiring.
"I would have been hell to live with if I hadn’t been working through lockdown," laughs Ben.
"It’s been a privilege to go to work and initially, it was mentally challenging on Good Morning Britain as our way of working changed and we couldn’t do the things we previously took for granted. But the show was needed with regards to news and what was happening, and fair play to ITV for making that work.
"Lockdown has thrown up some tough curveballs," Ben adds. "It was very difficult not being able to go straight round and help one of my best mates, Kate Garraway, pick up the pieces when her husband Derek was rushed to hospital with Covid-19 in the early days of the pandemic. How she is managing to get through it is a miracle. Kate is extraordinary."
And what about working on Tipping Point?
"I also love working on the TV show Tipping Point, especially the moment when contestants first see the coin machine in the studio. Seeing their excitement is fantastic. I never tire of it!
"But the hardest thing is not being able to give contestants a hug. I have missed it with my family too – not being able to hug my mum was so awful."
Ben goes on to explain the lessons the pandemic has taught him...
"Coronavirus has made me take responsibility for what I do. There is a consequence if you don’t think about what you are doing. It has also changed my perspective on what’s really important in life. But at the same time, I have two sons (Sam, 15, and Jack, 13) and I don’t want them to worry about the virus. I want them to go about their lives."
Ben used to present the Sky Sports weekend show Goals, but gave it up to spend more time with his family.
"It has enhanced my life so much. I left last year after nine years, but getting my weekends back has been amazing.
"The boys have loved it and I have too. Only recently, I was playing golf with my youngest! It’s been great."
Does he have his sights set on any other TV programmes?
"One reality show I would never say never to is I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. Watching my friend Kate last year shine as she did made me think I wouldn’t mind a month in the jungle – or in a castle!"
Tipping Point is on every weekday on ITV at 4pm and Good Morning Britain weekdays from 6am.
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