Ben Shephard has revealed that he and his co-host, Cat Deeley, will be stepping away from This Morning for a brief break during the upcoming half-term holiday. 

The pair, who took over the flagship ITV daytime show earlier this year, will be off-air for a short period before returning to their usual presenting duties.

The 50-year-old presenter shared the news on Instagram following Thursday’s episode, 

posting behind-the-scenes snapshots from the show. 

In his post, he expressed his appreciation for the support from viewers and playfully acknowledged the upcoming Valentine’s Day celebrations, writing:

“Ahhh lovely end of the week for me and @catdeeley. Thanks for all your messages.

I hope everyone is ready for some hardcore Valentines/Palentines/Galentines (delete where appropriate) action!”

Ben reassured fans that he and Cat would be back soon, adding: “We’ll be back in the studio after half term!! Thanks @kenmckayphoto for these ace pics too.”

Who Will Fill In for Ben and Cat?

While ITV has yet to officially confirm who will be stepping in for Ben and Cat during their break, it is widely expected that Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary will take over hosting duties. The duo, who typically present This Morning on Fridays, have previously covered for the main hosts, including during the last half-term break in October and November.

Alison and Dermot have been a staple of the show since 2020, bringing their signature chemistry and humor to the Friday slot. Alison, who has been part of This Morning since 2002, has become one of ITV’s most beloved personalities, while Dermot, 51, has had a long-standing career with the network, having stepped in as a guest presenter several times over the years.

Fans React to Ben’s Announcement

Ben’s post about his temporary departure was met with an outpouring of support from fans and colleagues alike. Many wished him a restful break and expressed how much they enjoy watching him and Cat on the show.

One fan wrote: “Have a lovely week off, Ben! We’ll miss you and Cat.” Another added: “Always a pleasure watching you both. Enjoy your time off!” A third commented: “Looking forward to seeing you back on screen after half-term!”

Among the thousands of likes and comments on his post, Ben’s This Morning co-host Alison Hammond also showed her support, along with his former Good Morning Britain colleague Sean Fletcher.

Ben Shephard’s Personal Milestone

This break from This Morning comes shortly after Ben marked his 50th birthday, a milestone he celebrated with a personal fitness challenge. Determined to be in his best physical and mental shape, he set himself a 50-day fitness goal leading up to his birthday.

Reflecting on the journey, Ben shared: “So there we have it! I’ve turned 50. And 50 days ago, I set myself a challenge to be at my fittest—physically, yes, but also emotionally and mentally.”

He expressed gratitude to his followers for their encouragement throughout his challenge, saying:

“This now feels like such a massive part of my life, and that’s thanks to you… the challenges you set me—freezing cold swimming, burpees, press-ups, rowing, running, to the pull-ups! But what I didn’t expect was how much I’d get from your involvement and support. It really kept me going!”

In his usual lighthearted style, Ben ended his reflection with a humorous nod to future challenges, asking: “What next… laughing yoga anyone?”

A Well-Deserved Break

As Ben and Cat take some time off, fans of This Morning will have to wait until after the half-term break to see them back on their screens. In the meantime, the anticipated return of Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary will likely keep viewers entertained.

Ben’s temporary departure comes as he continues to cement his role as one of ITV’s most prominent presenters, with his combination of warmth, humor, and professionalism making him a fan favorite. With a busy career and an active personal life, his well-earned break will give him a chance to recharge before returning to This Morning with his signature enthusiasm.

For now, fans can look forward to his return after half-term, ready to bring more engaging interviews, lighthearted moments, and entertaining discussions to the This Morning audience.

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