It’s practically Ben Shephard’s final day at Good Morning Britain, and he’s not leaving without pushing the envelope.
The renowned TV personality, 49, was recently confirmed as one of two new This Morning hosts, partnering Cat Deeley to replace Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.
After landing the highly sought-after position, Ben will quit GMB, where he has hosted alongside Kate Garraway for the previous ten years.
The Tipping Point presenter, who appears to be growing cocky as he prepares to go, couldn’t help but make a scathing remark at a co-star.
During Thursday’s episode (February 22), Ben discussed the weather with Laura Tobin, who started the conversation out with some lighthearted banter.
‘Because I’m so cross you’re leaving, Ben, I’m not coming in tomorrow, just so you know,’ she joked.
‘Storm out, Laura!’, co-host Kate quipped.
‘So it’s not all bad that I’m leaving, because Laura’s not in tomorrow,’ Ben retaliated.
Kate gasped in horror before Laura declared: ‘How dare you! I’m literally going to make it rain on just you, Ben.’
Ben continued with more weather-related wisecracks, assuring Kate, ‘You’re going to miss this!’
It’s all love, of course, since Kate has already voiced her support for Ben ahead of his new adventure.
She took to social media and devoted a message to him, her first since her husband Derek Draper died.
Kate penned: ‘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!!! 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 ’
Ben’s last day on GMB is tomorrow (Friday, February 23), and the crew joked today that they’ll be sobbing when the time comes to say goodbye for real.
Ben announced his retirement from GMB by posting a photo with his co-stars and writing in the caption, ‘Ten years has gone by at GMB. I’ve enjoyed every minute (except for the first few minutes after the alarm goes off at 3.30 a.m.), but the rest have been fantastic.
‘As have these amazing women I’ve been lucky enough to sit alongside, work with, laugh with and on the odd occasions drink with!’
He added: ‘I will miss working with them and the whole team – and I’m very grateful that they are just next door so that whenever I get nostalgic I know they aren’t too far away.’
In a statement released after Ben’s This Morning post was revealed, he said: ‘I’ve enjoyed anchoring Good Morning Britain for the past ten years since its inception. When I left GMTV, I said I’d never return due of the early mornings, and it turns out I was incorrect.
‘I’m grateful that my extended GMB family is only next door so that whenever I get nostalgic, I know I’m not going to being far away. Although I’ll miss being on screen with them, my later starts mean I may be able to hang out with them all a bit more!
‘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.
‘Her journey has been well documented, and I think we would all agree how remarkable she has been over the last four years. 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.’
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.
Source My Celebrity Life.