Ben made a confession about his This Morning co-star (Image: ITV)
This Morning presenter Ben Shephard has disclosed a moment when he reduced his co-host Cat Deeley to tears.
The former Good Morning Britain anchor and Cat formally took over from Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby in March 2024, becoming part of the ITV daytime programme alongside Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary.
Yet, until this weekend, Ben had been harbouring an enormous secret from several of his colleagues.
The 51-year-old was unveiled as Conkers on The Masked Singer, securing second place in the thrilling finale behind Sugababes vocalist Keisha Buchanan, who claimed victory as Moth.
Appearing on This Morning today (Monday 16 February) following his reveal, Ben recounted the instance when Cat witnessed him as Conkers and was moved to tears, reports the Mirror.
Ben was unmasked during The Masked Singer final (Image: ITV)
He explained to Alison and Dermot: “I had a couple of people that were in my confidence, and Cat was one of them, because I was so traumatised that after every episode, I would come in in the morning shaking and we’d have to talk it through.
“And when she first saw Conkers… he was such a special character, she burst into tears when she saw him. Those big eyes and wobbly knees.
“It was a testament to costume over class, because I certainly shouldn’t have been there!”
Ben appeared on This Morning today (Image: ITV)
Ben continued by expressing his astonishment at progressing so far in the contest, after leaving viewers gobsmacked when his identity was ultimately revealed, particularly after sitting on the guest panel during the opening episode and even interviewing other eliminated participants on This Morning.
Following the final, he characterised it as an “extraordinary” and “emotional” experience, stating: “Having turned 50, I thought, ‘I’ve gotta do a few more scary things,’ and this was my favourite.”
“The bizarre thing is, I have been interviewing all the unmasked celebrities on This Morning. They have no idea I’m on the show and still in it!”, he continued.
Ben revealed the moment his co-presenter Cat burst into tears (Image: ITV)
“It’s an isolating experience going on this show, as you can’t tell anyone. I can’t wait to be able to talk to everyone about it.”
When questioned about how it felt to deceive the judges, he remarked: “I’ve loved it. The experience has been remarkable. Really special. I loved that side of it. As a rule, I think I’m pretty straight down the line and the fact I got to do something so under-hand. Davina was talking to me in the most minute detail about what happens when you’re a contestant on the show. I was asking her loads of questions.”
For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website
Fans were gobsmacked to find out who was behind the Conkers mask (Image: ITV)
Discussing his costume, he elaborated: “You might not have realised that I’m not necessarily the best singer. The costumes are incredible, my costume particularly had so much going for it. I fell in love with it immediately. I just worked on the idea that Conkers wants to be really brave, he is a knight, but he [Conkers] is actually just a little bit nervous as well and actually wants people to be his mates.”
Revealing he leapt at the opportunity to don the outfit, he continued: “I think it was destiny. They talked me through some ideas but when they showed me Conkers I fell in love with it.”
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and ITVX. The Masked Singer UK is available to watch on ITVX.