Everyone knows Ben Shephard as the friendly face of This Morning, but he’s showing a surprising adventurous side with his new, risky game show. It seems there’s a bit of a thrill-seeker hidden beneath the surface!
Ben Shephard, a man in his 40s or 50s, is very proud of his physical shape. He demonstrated this last year by appearing on the cover of a health magazine shirtless, revealing his toned abs.
Phillip Schofield, known for his cheerful and wholesome image as the co-host of This Morning, is taking on a very different challenge. He’s participating in The Summit, a notoriously difficult show that requires contestants to scale a mountain in New Zealand.
He says he’s a big fan of adventure. He’s had the chance to climb a few mountains, so he knows firsthand what it takes.
I first discovered my love for New Zealand while traveling as a teenager, so it was incredible to film here in the Southern Alps.
We’ve created a reality show where contestants go on an adventure, and it’s filmed in the stunning locations used for the Lord of the Rings films.
None of the 14 contestants who start out have any experience of mountaineering.
What I’m seeing is truly inspiring! I’ve met such a diverse group of people lately – a landlady from Northampton, a steelworker all the way from Port Talbot, a London tour guide, even an ordained minister. It’s amazing to witness such a wonderful mix of backgrounds and experiences all coming together.
People start to struggle and leave the show right away, even in the first episode. It’s incredibly physically demanding from the beginning, which quickly tests everyone’s limits.
They are set jaw-dropping physical challenges every day, even as the climb gets tougher.
‘By day three there’s snow. They’re using ice picks. They’re going across a glacier,’ Ben says.
As night arrives and the temperature plummets below freezing, the pressure really builds because the group must decide who to eliminate. It’s crucial that everyone contributes, and it quickly becomes obvious when someone isn’t doing their share.
Each contestant carries a portion of the £200,000 prize money in their backpack. They’ll share it with anyone who makes it to the summit, but the amount of money available decreases each time someone drops out.
During the climb, someone in the group eventually admits they can’t continue. While some people try to offer support, another member immediately points out the potential winnings, attempting to persuade them to push on by mentioning the £14,000 prize money.
Players who are doing well often try to eliminate anyone they perceive as a rival, resulting in surprising votes and intense conflicts. We’ve seen dramatic confrontations, like the clash between a priest hiding a secret and a cunning former soldier.
Ben, who seems capable and self-assured, explained he had to calm a highly charged and potentially explosive situation. He described moments where things became particularly heated.
Is this like the ultimate version of The Traitors? He chuckles and replies, ‘Let me tell you, Claudia’s gloves wouldn’t have been warm enough for that mountain!’
Doctors and expert climbers were on hand during filming, but was the danger real?
Ben described a truly dangerous situation. During filming, a contestant was injured while climbing a rope ladder on a very high, steep cliff. He said these moments are a stark reminder of how quickly things can go wrong.
He’s glad to discuss it today, sitting in a cozy café close to the This Morning studios in London’s Covent Garden, but he wonders how he’d fare if he were a participant himself.
I like taking risks, but I don’t know if I could have handled some of the things they faced.
I’m always impressed by how great Ben looks! He was sporting a fleece and jeans, but honestly, I wouldn’t expect anything less. The guy is seriously dedicated to fitness – you might remember he was on the cover of Men’s Health, posing shirtless, way back in 2012. And he didn’t stop there! He worked incredibly hard to get back into that shape last year, just in time to celebrate turning 50. It’s really inspiring to see his commitment.
He also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with Fearne Cotton and other stars for Comic Relief in 2009.
‘That was the most dangerous thing I’ve ever done because there were a number of occasions where people got into real trouble. Fearne had a real problem at one point, but that girl’s strength and grit are amazing,’ continues Ben.
Our team leader had to leave to rescue someone in a dangerous situation – that’s just how risky that mountain can be. But honestly, the hardest physical thing I’ve ever done was the World’s Toughest Mudder competition.
Ben is talking about a tough endurance race he completed last year at Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire. He did it with his sons, Sam and Jack (ages 20 and 19), and his godson, also named Ben.
We completed a challenging five-mile course filled with obstacles like mud, water, and fire, running it as a relay team for 24 hours straight. It was physically demanding and a bit risky, but the best part was doing it with my sons and godson. It was an incredible experience sharing that with them.
Ben grew up in Epping, Essex, and his parents, David and Jo, still live in a nearby village. He attended the private Chigwell School, but he dislikes being labeled as upper-class.
Ben explains that his parents both came from families with modest means. His mother experienced hardship early in life, losing her father in a tragic accident when she was just seven years old – he drowned while attempting to rescue her sister. They were raised with limited financial resources, relying on a single income.
My father didn’t finish school with any degrees, but he worked hard and went to night school to become an accountant. He had a demanding schedule, waking up at six, commuting to work in the city, returning home late, and then continuing to work again.
My mum worked night shifts as a nurse and delivered babies, often getting only an hour of sleep before spending the day teaching. She and my father instilled in us a strong work ethic.
I was so impressed with Ben’s dedication! He worked hard at a freight warehouse to save up for his gap year, and it was hilarious to hear that ‘The Crystal Maze’ was filming right next door. He said he could almost touch the set, and all he could think about was how much he wanted to be involved in that kind of exciting, adventurous show – it was a total dream for him!
He studied dance and drama at Birmingham University, where he met his future wife, Annie. They were both 21-year-old students when they connected at a birthday party for his best friend.
He dreamed of being an actor, but started as a delivery runner for a television company. A producer noticed him there and thought he’d be great on camera as a host.
He explained that Annie was a part of his life long before he started working in television. She’s been with him through all of his good times and bad.
He’s hosted a lot of shows, including popular ones like The Krypton Factor and Ninja Warrior, as well as special performances with Rod Stewart and Phil Collins. When asked if his current show, The Summit, is his most daring yet, he joked about previously hosting a show called ‘Am I Good In Bed?’ with Penny Smith, saying that was pretty edgy!
Tipping Point has been his most successful game show, first airing in 2012 and continuing to be popular today. Ben and Cat Deeley became the primary hosts of This Morning two years ago.
He says he really enjoys working with Cat, explaining they come from similar backgrounds and often finish each other’s sentences.
What’s the secret to their long marriage, especially in Hollywood where so many relationships don’t last? He credits his wife’s patience, jokingly adding that he’s also patient with new shoes. But seriously, he believes they were best friends from the start, and that’s what made their connection strong.
Honestly, it’s amazing how Annie just gets it. Ben told me once she’s been incredible, letting him have his moment and fully focus on his work. She just…supports him without getting involved in the craziness, and I think that’s so special. It really lets him shine, you know?
People always ask if being so focused on my work feels lonely, but honestly, it doesn’t! There’s always someone around on set, and making ‘The Summit’ was incredible. We were all so close, practically living on top of each other during filming, which was amazing. But then, just like that, it’s over, and everyone goes home… it’s a weird feeling, but the memories make it worth it!
Annie is a lot more of a loner than I am. She genuinely enjoys being by herself and often asks for some time alone. She’s always saying, ‘I just need a little space, please!’
Despite the difficult situation, he spoke with gratitude, not anger. He explained that she was the most important person in their family, the one who built a loving home and helped their sons grow into who they are today, and who also made him a better father.
Jack is working as a teaching assistant before he goes traveling, and Sam is really enjoying studying math at university. I’m so happy for both of them, but I miss them a lot.
When they’re here, they create chaos and finish all the food, but as soon as they leave, we suddenly feel a bit lost and wonder what we’ll do with ourselves.
Ben and Annie are about to become empty-nesters. After years of having boys, their friends, and dates constantly around, they’re anticipating a much quieter home life, and they’re already starting to feel it.
Many couples in similar situations struggle to redefine their relationship, but we’re both open to it – I actually enjoy a good challenge! I think I might be the more challenging one, if I’m honest. We both feel really positive about what’s ahead, and it’s great that our sons are close by.
We definitely lead pretty independent lives. I’m busy with work, and my wife has her own career in garden and interior design. When I have free time, I prefer to be active – I like to play golf, run, go to the gym, or watch football or rugby.
She’d like to visit an art gallery or a garden. We’re trying to find activities we both enjoy, and it’s actually really exciting!
Ben prioritizes physical activity, and his wife, Annie, strongly encourages it. She often tells him, ‘You really need to exercise – go for a run and release some energy!’
Does Annie share his passion for fitness? While she enjoys activities like yoga, stretching, tennis, and horseback riding, she has no interest in traditional workouts like running on a treadmill.
They do have a gym at their house in southwest London, where Ben works out with a personal trainer.
Running and meditation are really important for my well-being – they help me stay centered and manage stress. I’m even training for a marathon this year, which I didn’t think I’d ever do again because of my back. Like a lot of people over 50, I have some issues with my spinal discs – they’re worn, torn, and have some damage. That’s why I also practice Pilates to stay strong and support my back.
He’s also given up alcohol for a while. He explains he drank a lot in December, so he’s doing a ‘dry January.’ He says he likes to be in control of his decisions, and this is part of that.
When my work requires me to be at the studio, I need to be there. But I can control my own health – things like staying in shape, and making good choices about what I eat and drink.
I generally try to eat healthy foods. I’ll still treat myself to a full English breakfast with my friends and Annie on weekends, but most days I have porridge or granola for breakfast and a light lunch like chicken salad or salmon with broccoli.
I don’t really care much about fancy food. I usually just eat whatever my wife, Annie, and our kids are having. She’s a fantastic cook, so she does most of the cooking around here.
He’s so likeable on television, you’d think he has many fans. But when asked about it, he humbly replied, ‘That’s kind of you to say, but I haven’t found that to be true.’
He’s best known for having a dedicated fan in the form of Mary Taylor, a character on the British soap opera Coronation Street. He says his 83-year-old great-aunt often calls him to let him know he’s been mentioned on the show because Mary is such a big fan.
That’s the most I can relate to what it’s like being a huge international star like Robbie Williams – it’s completely different from my normal life.
I’ve always wondered why he pushes himself so hard with his fitness, and honestly, I think it’s more than just staying healthy. He recently explained it to me – he wants to be able to play football with his future grandkids! It’s such a sweet reason, and it makes all the effort worthwhile, you know? It’s not about vanity; it’s about being physically able to enjoy those moments with family.
I’m motivated by my dad, who won our family golf tournament at age 80. I hope to stay active and competitive enough to keep playing – and winning – with my sons even as I get older. That’s what I’m working towards.
That’s why he continues to challenge himself with events like the World’s Toughest Mudder. He and I were running together one morning, and he asked me, “Why are you laughing?”
You know, I’ve always believed in creating your own fun. I realized early on that if you want to do something – really do something – you can’t always wait for others to join in. Sometimes, you have to build your own team, find people who share your energy, and make it happen yourself. That’s what I did – I needed partners in crime to bring my ideas to life, so I found them!
He found it really funny, but it made me cry. Seeing him, Jack, and my godson Ben tackle the difficulty and persevere was incredibly moving.
The boys are hoping to repeat their experience this year. Ben explains it’s about personal growth – he could be referring to the challenge itself, or to overcoming obstacles in life.
With dedication and the support of people who believe in you – and whom you believe in – you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
The Summit starts 10-11 February at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
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2026-01-31 14:52