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ITV Good Morning Britain legend announces return to show after Ben Shephard exit

GMB’s Ben Shephard replacement confirmed as fan favourite announces return.

A Good Morning Britain legend has been announced as returning to the ITV breakfast programme following the departure of fan favourite Ben. Last month, the Tipping Point star left his co-stars in tears on his last ever episode of GMB.

The day proved to be emotional for all involved especially for his on-screen “work wife” Kate Garraway, 56, who’s husband Derek Draper also recently passed away. But now it appears a new star will step in to support her with daily duties on the show.

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Confirming, he’d been hired to step in on Friday’s alongside Kate, Adil Ray announced on the platform X – formerly known as Twitter- that he would be making a comeback. He wrote: “From Friday, I’ll be back @gmb for most Fridays until the end of May.”

Ben’s replacement has now been confirmed
(Image: PA)

He went on to add: “First run is the next three Fridays until the Easter break. Hope you’ll join me.

“In the current climate it feels like a huge privilege to be on morning telly. Would love it if you joined us from 6am. Thank you.”

On Ben’s last day he was joined by the likes of Susanna Reid, Alex Beresford, Dr Amir Khan. His wife Annie was also present and West Ham mascot – teddy bear Bubbles – also made an appearance.

Adil Ray will now step into Ben’s shoes to support Kate on a Friday
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Kate couldn’t say too much as she was overcome with emotion. She simply said: “You’re an incredible person and incredible friend… I won’t say anything more or I’ll cry but I know we’ll still be in your lives.”

Ben told her: ‘I’ll be right next door! I’ll see you all and I’ll be able to stay up a little bit longer! I can do an all-nighter with Laura [Tobin]!”

He was then swarmed by gifts and a hilarious cake that was calved into an alarm clock with the time set at 3:15am (Ben’s wakeup time) was presented to him. Becoming choked, Ben added: “A friend of mine text me last night saying ‘Enjoy your setting alarm for stupid o’clock for the last time’ and I thought I actually might… I didn’t. It’s horrible.”

Kate and Ben were both overcome with emotion on his last ever episode with GMB
(Image: benshephardofficial/Instagram)

He continued: “The alarm going off has never been anything I’ve enjoyed but what I have known is that as soon as I get in here I’m going to be surrounded by you brilliant, incredible, gorgeous, talented, challenging, chaotic, annoying, fabulous people who make me better what I do.

‘It’s not lost on me that I wouldn’t be able to do if you lot weren’t amazing and hadn’t been such fabulous friends and brilliant colleagues.”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk


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