Ben Shephard

Read more about Ben Shephard

Having excelled at school, he achieved a 2:1 BA Honours from Birmingham University in Dance, Drama & Theatre Arts.

In addition to this, Ben has travelled the world solo and utilised his fluency in French, as well as his wine tasting training, by working in a French wine chateau (which he nearly burnt down!!!)

Sport plays a huge part in Ben’s life – as well as being a huge West Ham Supporter (he famously got Britney Spears to admit she was an “Irons” Fan), he also has representative honours in both rugby & football. Ben is an extreme sports FANATIC, frequently participating in kitesurfing, wakeboarding and surfing, as well as racing for “Team Ford”.

He married his wife Annie on 25th March 2004. His first son, Sam, was born on the 25th May 2005, and his second son, Jack, was born on the 24th January 2007.

Ben got his first TV break in March 1998 when he hosted Control Freaks for Channel 4. This was swiftly followed by co-hosting The Bigger Breakfast (Ch4) with Melanie Sykes and Josie D’Arby. In October 1998, Ben launched the cult Sunday morning TV show, T4 and remained its anchor presenter until December 1999.

Other presentation credits include: Eastenders Revealed (BBC1 & BBC3), Planet Pop (CH4), Bedrock ITV2), MTV Select with Kelly Brook, Exclusive (CH5), Maths 4 Real (Ch4), The Great British Driving Test (ITV1), Am I Good in Bed (ITV1) – Britain’s first ever sex survey!!; Holiday on a Shoestring (BBC1) & Summer Holiday (BBC1); Sing With A Star (ITV1); British Soap Awards in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 & 2005 (ITV2),) The BAFTA Television Awards 2004 (ITV2) with Jenni Falconer, Harry Potter Quest – The Search for the Ultimate Fan, Solution Street (ITV1)with Gaby Roslin, "Discomania 2" with Gloria Gaynor, various “Harry Potter and the….Behind the Scenes” documentaries (ITV1), The Match (Sky One) and re-joined the squad for The Re-match in October 2005, The All Star Cup (ITV2, Aug 2006), Best Ever Worst Auditions (ITV1,Dec 2006)

In September 2000, Ben joined GMTV as the co-host of Entertainment Today (8.30-9.25am, ITV1) with Jenni Falconer. Ben first sat on the GMTV sofa as a stand in for Eamonn Holmes in July 2003 and took over the reigns in May 2005 - the youngest male to ever do so! Between 2004 and 2006, Ben presented four series’ worth of the highly acclaimed and award winning The Xtra Factor (Friday & Saturday nights)

Ben started 2006 by co-hosting Soapstar Superstar for ITV1 with Fern Britton. He then went on to present Make Me Perfect (ITV1) and turned his hand to radio with Magic FM Saturday Breakfast. In May, he took on the world and played football for England….in the pro-celebrity football match SoccerAid. 2007 started with the birth of his second son, Jack (24th January) and hosting Dancing On Ice Extra (January – March ITV1). Throughout the summer he presented the BBC1 Saturday night primetime show Dance X and began a weekly show on Heat Radio.

In March 2008, Ben put on his boxing gloves for Sports Relief when he fought, and defeated, Lemar! In April 2008 he became the new host of 1vs100, the hit BBC1 Saturday night gameshow. He returned to our screens in June 08 with Denise Van Outen when they hosted the ITV1 Saturday Night prime time show, Who Dares, Sings! Autumn 08 saw Ben entering the World Records Books thanks to the co-hosting Guinness World Records Smashed and getting the record for “Worlds Highest Reverse Bungey” and, once again, Ben pulled on his England jersey for SoccerAid (ITV1)

2009 proved to be as challenging-both physically and mentally! Iconic quizshow, The Krypton Factor returned to ITV1 with Ben at the helm of “Televisions Toughest Quiz”. In March Ben climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief with, amongst others, Gary Barlow, Chris Moyles & Cheryl Cole. He returned to BBC1 for another series of 1vs100 in May 2009, and all of this whilst continuing to anchor GMTV Monday to Wednesdays.