Inside Ben Shephard's life including crippling health battle and ITV soap link

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2 days ago

Inside Ben Shephard's life including crippling health battle and ITV soap link
Ben Shephard has been gracing screens for over two decades and has recently celebrated a huge milestone for one of his ITV shows.
ITV favourite Ben Shephard is widely recognised for his decade-long stint on Good Morning Britain before departing at the beginning of 2024.
Since he left, Ben's taken over This Morning with co-host Cat Deeley, presenting the beloved programme at the start of the week, while Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary take the reins on Fridays.
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Yet, the 50-year-old isn't just known for his morning show appearances; he's also the familiar face of another ITV hit, Tipping Point.
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This month marks the 13th anniversary of Tipping Point, with its first episode having been broadcast on 2 July 2012.
As we celebrate this significant milestone in his career, let's delve into Ben Shephard's life when the cameras stop rolling.
Health battle
Ben Shephard injured himself while playing football a few years ago
(Image: GETTY )
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Back in 2018, Ben revealed his struggle with a slipped disc that necessitated pain relief medication, which sometimes left him feeling "in a daze", reports the Manchester Evening News
A few years on, in 2021, the television presenter encountered another health challenge, sustaining a ruptured ACL during a football game, along with a torn meniscus and a leg fracture.
Ben has since adapted his workout regime to include functional fitness, as he recently shared with Men's Health Magazine.
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He commented: "My back is in a state and my knees are in a state. I'm a lot more conscious of my need to apply functional fitness in my training.
"I don't want to be in a position where I can't play golf with my sons and my mates.
"I don't want to be unable to go skiing with the boys, which I love doing, or play football, I'm just so scared of doing my knee again."
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ITV soap link
Emmerdale fans will see a character exit the village in upcoming scenes
This Morning viewers were taken aback during an interview with Emmerdale's Beth Cordingly, who plays Ruby Miligan, when it was revealed that she and host Ben Shepherd shared a past.
The pair attended the University of Birmingham at the same time, with Beth studying English and Drama and Ben pursuing Dance, Drama, and Theatre Arts.
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Despite being in different years, they fondly looked back on their university days as a photo of a younger Ben flashed on the screen.
Ben couldn't help but laugh as he said: "It was like one big, happy family," while Beth chimed in, stating: "You were this interesting mix because you were big in the rugby thing... It must have been some sort of 70s thing."
To which Ben responded: "We had all of these incredibly talented actors and I was in the dance department, and it was just a brilliant and extraordinary time."
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University sweetheart
Ben Shephard and Annie Perks have been together since meeting at university
It wasn't just future soap stars Ben encountered at university. He also met his wife Annie there, who was studying Philosophy and heading the Philosophy and Epistemology society.
They began dating in 1995 and after nine years together, they wed in 2004. The couple has since welcomed two sons, Sam and Jack, who Ben often proudly mentions on This Morning.
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Ben has previously spoken highly of Annie, notably telling Lancashire Post in 2013: "My wife has to put up with a lot, in regards to hours and the nature of my job."
Annie has achieved success with her blog, The House Editor, where she shares interior design tips and inspiration.
Meanwhile, Ben has spoken publicly about a significant family milestone - his son Jack's departure for university.
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In an emotional interview on This Morning, Ben admitted: "It was all very emotional. This was him and Annie, he's in Bristol. She was better than I was to be fair, I was really really emotional about it."
Tipping Point is available to watch on ITVX.