This Morning host Ben Shephard paid tribute to a long-serving co-star on Wednesday’s show
Olivia Wheeler Content Editor Screen Time
14:08, 10 Dec 2025
This Morning presenter Ben Shephard made a touching goodbye to an ITV colleague during Wednesday’s programme.
In the latest instalment, Ben, 50, alongside co-host Cat Deeley, participated in guest Sara Davies’ festive craft activities.
However, Ben had a comical crafting mishap when he failed to notice that the paper Christmas trees needed to be sealed after applying glue.
This led a chuckling Ben to announce: “Darren’s on camera four, it’s Darren’s last week with me” prompting Cat to reply: “Aw!”.
Ben went on: “Darren and I have worked together since early 2000s and he’s just watched me there, just in fits of hysterics, because you knew this was going to happen didn’t you Darren” as the camera shifted to reveal an entertained Darren, reports Wales Online.
Ben Shephard paid tribute to his ITV colleague who he has worked with since the early 2000s(Image: ITV)
This follows Tuesday’s This Morning which saw Cat absent – with a last-minute replacement stepping in.
The 49 year old typically hosts Monday through Thursday alongside her co-presenter, former GMB anchor Ben.
Instead, audiences were welcomed by Ben – partnered with fellow This Morning personality Alison Hammond, 50, on Tuesday’s broadcast, marking a first for the presenting pairing which thrilled viewers.
The hosting team acknowledged the obvious shake-up in the presenting roster, noting it was their inaugural time hosting together on This Morning, though neither offered an explanation regarding Cat’s whereabouts or reason for her absence.
This prompted a giggling Ben to say: “Darren’s on camera four, it’s Darren’s last week with me”(Image: ITV)
Ben merely stated: “How about this, Alison Hammond”, to which the television personality responded: “What am I doing here, what is going on?”
He responded: “Christmas wishes do come true, that’s all I’ll say. Our first time together – you never forget your first time, Alison.” Alison then remarked: “It was bound to happen, it was always going to happen.”
Cat, however, returned to her presenting responsibilities on Wednesday without offering viewers any clarification regarding her short-term absence from Tuesday’s programme.
Ben and Cat have been co-presenting This Morning since 2024, taking over from previous hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby. Friday’s edition of This Morning is presented by Alison and Dermot O’Leary.
This Morning continues on weekdays at 10am on ITV and ITV X.
