Ben Shephard Admits Unexpectedly: “I’ve Changed So Much — I’m a Father, a Husband, and I See… My Mum in Me”

Ben Shephard and wife Annie celebrate 16 years of marriage amid COVID-19 lockdown | Daily Mail OnlineBen Shephard, 51, TV presenter and father of two, gets candid with Metro about family life, fatherhood, and what it was really like working those grueling early-morning shifts on GMTV. Now a seasoned media personality, Ben shares rare insights into his upbringing, relationship, and how becoming a dad transformed his world.

“Growing up, my older brother was always complaining that I got away with murder,” Ben laughs. “He had more responsibility because he was the eldest — and now, as a dad, I get it.”
Presenter: BEN SHEPHARD
TV presenter: Ben Shephard (Picture: ITV)

Ben and his wife Annie, whom he met at university, have now been together for 27 years, and married for 18. They share two sons: Sam, now 18, and Jack, 16. He admits that parenting can feel like walking a tightrope when it comes to fairness: “Sam’s older, so he understands rules more. Jack’s younger and very cute — he knows how to work it. He’s cheeky, playful, always up for a laugh — that was me at his age.”

His mother, a nurse, and his father, an accountant, worked hard to send Ben and his siblings to private school. “I wasn’t the academic one. I was adventurous, always out late,” he says. Now that he’s a father, he understands the concerns parents have — even if his teenage self didn’t: “At 15, I didn’t want to say where I was going or who I was with. I just wanted privacy, not trouble.”

But it’s clear his mum had a lasting influence on him — especially when it comes to his career in broadcasting. “She’s really theatrical and talks to everyone. I picked that up from her — I love talking to people and hearing their stories, whether it’s a footballer or someone on the street.”

His dad, on the other hand, gave him grounding. “He knew I loved sports and people, so he suggested careers like sports marketing. He wanted me to have options. They never pressured us into one path — just told us to work hard and enjoy life.”

Ben says fatherhood completely changed him. “Annie didn’t even want to get married or have kids initially — but I wore her down,” he jokes. “When we finally got married, it gave a sense of security I hadn’t expected.”

After being together for nearly a decade before tying the knot, Ben confesses he underestimated how life-changing parenthood would be. “I used to have so much time — now I wonder what I did with it all. Probably nursed hangovers or watched TV.”

Joining GMTV in 2000, Ben left the show in 2010 — a full decade that defined his career. But it wasn’t easy juggling the intense 3 a.m. wake-ups with being a new dad. “My boys only knew me as the tired guy who went to bed early. They had to be quiet during the day while I slept. Everyone had to adapt.”ITV's Ben Shephard's love life including wife's Strictly ban as he's confirmed for This Morning - OK! Magazine

It wasn’t until months after leaving GMTV that things settled. “I finally caught up on sleep and felt human again.”

Ben now sees himself becoming more like his own dad — whether he likes it or not. “I catch myself saying things that used to drive me mad when I was a kid — like ‘Do you think your coat lives on the floor?’ or ‘Why are your shoes on the table?’” His wife finds it hilarious. “She’ll laugh and say: ‘You’ve turned into your dad.’ And I guess I have — it’s a bit worrying, but it’s part of growing up.”

Despite his success, it’s not the red carpet events or celebrity interviews that excite him most. “I’m more thrilled about coming home and hearing about the boys’ day than I am about covering the Olympics or Cannes.”

Ben Shephard remains a relatable, grounded figure — a dad who admits his flaws, credits his parents, and understands that love, patience, and perspective are the real wins in life.