Ben Shephard’s start date at This Morning has been revealed.
As the emotional presenter, 39, hosted his final Good Morning Britain episode alongside Kate Garraway, 56, on Friday, entertainment correspondent Richard Arnold, 54, confirmed the news.
He announced that Ben’s This Morning debut with Cat Deeley, 47, would be on Monday March 11 – in just two weeks time.
The duo are becoming the new permanent hosts of This Morning, meaning that Ben is bidding farewell to breakfast news show GMB after a decade.
His final episode got off to an emotional start as he reflected on his time with the show alongside Kate, who admitted she was struggling to keep it together.
Ben Shephard’s start date at This Morning has been revealed – he filmed his last day as a presenter at Good Morning Britain on Friday, pictured
It has been confirmed that Ben’s This Morning debut with Cat Deeley , 47, will be on Monday March 11 – in just two weeks time
It was Ben’s co-host Richard Arnold , 54, who announced the start date on the show on Friday
Ben and Cat are set to take over as the hosts of This Morning next month, after Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby’s departure last year.
It comes after Ben paid an emotional tribute to his GMB co-host and ‘on-screen wife of 20-years’ Kate.
The Tipping Point host said no longer presenting alongside pal Kate was the ‘hardest decision’ ahead of agreeing to take on the role of Phillip Schofield’s replacement.
The telly favourite, who has hosted GMB since 2014, also revealed that the adjoining studios would make it easy for him to call in for a catch up.
READ MORE: This Morning’s viewers react to Cat Deeley and ‘safe’ Ben Shephard becoming the new permanent hosts
He said: ‘One of the hardest decisions of course is knowing that my mornings with Kate, my on-screen wife of nearly 20 years, is coming to an end’.
Touching on her recent loss of beloved husband Derek Draper, Ben continued: ‘Her journey has been well documented, and I think we would all agree how remarkable she has been over the last four years.
‘I won’t miss the mess but I’ve learned so much from her, as I have from all of the people I’ve been lucky enough to work alongside’.
Following the news Kate took to Instagram to congratulate Ben and Cat, while admitting just how much she would miss working with him.
Alongside a snap of them laughing she wrote: ‘Massive congrats to @benshephardofficial on the @itv @thismorning gig.’
‘You’ll be SOOOOO missed by EVERYONE @gmb viewers and the team alike & ofcourse especially me. BUT after 24 years hard labour by my side no one will begrudge you time off for good behaviour!!!’
Before she added: ‘Good luck swapping early starts for (abit) of a lie in and a Kate for a Cat! @catdeeley can’t wait to see you – you’ll have a ball’
Cat and Ben have been locked in talks for some months.
Her role on the show will see the star reportedly lose her long-time role on So You Think You Can Dance in the US , where she was reportedly paid £43k an episode – instead opting for the role on This Morning with a reported £550k annual salary.
It had been claimed that she was finally been won over with a more lucrative deal, but insiders at ITV denied the claims – insisting it was the ability to spend more time family, over a big money payday, that finally sealed the deal.
The news was confirmed via a bespoke promo on This Morning’s Twitter, showing Ben walking down the familiar This Morning production corridor and placing a new photo of Cat on the wall, before turning to the camera as the photo comes to life.
Ben and Cat Deeley were unveiled as the new hosts of This Morning last month with a teaser clip showing their images been erected in the ITV corridors
Ben said: ‘This really feels like a very special moment for Cat and I to be part of the next chapter of This Morning. It’s an honour to be trusted with the reigns, join Alison and Dermot and all the team that work on and off screen and do such a great job…
‘For the last ten years I’ve been waking up with our ITV daytime audience on GMB and I now look forward to spending time with Cat…
‘Welcoming the viewers home after the school run or from their early morning routines, with a cup of tea and a mix of everything that makes This Morning so loved.’
Cat added: ‘This Morning is a national institution. Whenever it’s on, it’s like having your friends over – funny, smart, silly, heartfelt, informative and joyful – like all the greatest friendships!…
‘This Morning is and always will be the viewer’s show. Ben and I both know how much people love it, and with the help of an amazing team of people, we’re going to do our best to take care of it.’