The ITV presenter has shared an insight into his relationship with wife Annie
Ben Shephard and his wife Annie have been married for more than 20 years(Image: Ben Shephard/Instagram)
Ben Shephard has given a rare update on his marriage to wife Annie Perks as he admitted the pair ‘live separate lives’. The ITV presenter, 51, who hosts The Tipping Point and This Morning alongside Cat Deeley, revealed Annie is ‘much happier in her own company’ as the pair spend time apart.
The TV host, who was made a permanent presenter on This Morning in February 2024 following Holly Willoughby’s departure, has been married to his wife, who is an interior designer, for more than two decades. The couple, who met at university, have two sons, Sam, 21, and Jack, 19.
Ben, who is fronting ITV’s new adventure series The Summit, tends to remain private about his relationship and home life, but he recently opened up in new candid interview. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Ben admitted: “Annie is much more solitary than me. She’s much happier in her own company. Half the time she’s like ‘I need a bit of space. Can you leave me alone for five seconds, please?’.”
Ben Shephard is set to host ITV’s new adventure series The Summit (Image: ITV)
However, the presenter pointed out that despite their differences, Annie is the ‘most important factor’ in their family. Ben and Annie are soon to be living alone in their family home, as their son Jack who works as a teaching assistant is going travelling, and their eldest child Sam is currently studying maths at university.
Speaking about their home life, Ben shared: “We do live quite separate lives. I’m off working, she has her job, which is garden and interior design. If I’ve got spare time I want to do something physical.”
Ben revealed he enjoys running and playing golf in his spare time, whilst Annie prefers to visit art galleries and gardens. The Tipping Point host told the Daily Mail that they’re working on finding activities that they both enjoy together. “It’s about finding things that work for both of us – but as I say, that feels really exciting,” Ben added.
Ben Shephard with his wife Annie at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show(Image: Getty Images)
Ben will soon be on screen presenting The Summit, an ITV show which sees 14 contestants aiming to reach the top of a mountain in New Zealand’s South Island. Across two weeks, players have to form alliances and eliminate one another, all to be in with a chance of winning a share of the £200,000 cash prize.
Along the way they have to endure a series of challenges set by the shadowy Mountain’s Keeper. Previously teasing the series, Ben said: “This series really has got it all; the contestants are going to be tested in every possible way as they try and take on the mountain.
“They’ll need a serious amount of grit, determination and strategy if they want to reach The Summit… Most people know how much I love exercise and adventure but this is taking it to another level – I’ll be donning my mountain gear to check in with them as they battle up the mountain and do their best to combat the demands of the ominous Mountain’s Keeper.
“I can’t wait to see how they get on because anyone who reaches The Summit will have seriously earned every penny of the prize fund.”