Ashley James

Ben Shephard delighted fans as he continued to celebrate his milestone 50th birthday.

Ben Shephard has delighted fans by sharing his “bucket list moment” amid his break from This Morning.

The former Good Morning Britain presenter, 50, has been celebrating his milestone birthday over recent months with a series of challenges he set himself.

He’s been keeping his Instagram followers updated along the way, as he vowed to be “the fittest I’ve ever been” before his 50th birthday.

Before turning 50 in December, Ben attempted cold water swimming, walking 5k and braving ice baths.

He’s now continued his celebrations with a family trip to Australia.

Sharing a peek into his travels with his sons, Ben wrote: “ So this is just a little bit exciting!!!!

“As part of my 50th year celebrations continue (have I mentioned I’ve turned 50) a proper bucket list moment, as we’ve just landed in Australia with the family – to support the British and Irish Lions across their tests!!!!

“I’m doing a bit of work but mostly doing a lot of cheering, supporting and merch acquiring…Lions Suitcases anyone.

“Can’t wait for later – thoughts on the score??? Also in Brisbane for a few days any recommends will be gratefully received!”

Fans and friends alike rushed to share their support, with Loose Women ’s Katie Piper writing: “That’s such a great thing to do as a family.”

“So exciting,” This Morning regular Ashley James said, while Helen Skelton wrote: “What an adventure,” and Gaby Roslin said: “Have an amazing adventure.”

Carol Vorderman shared her own anecdote, commenting: “Omg Ben I was filming in Brizzie and across Queensland in 1989 (it was very different then) and bumped into the Lions in a bar in Cairns Took me days to recover but what a laugh First time I ever had shots of tequila … it wasn’t a “thing” 40 years ago Bloody hell… life’s never dull Have a great great time.”

“Have fun big man there is some@great place to eat out there enjoy,” Jamie Oliver added.

Ben proved his challenges to be as fit as he could be paid off with a shoot in May showing off his six-pack.

Recreating his Men’s Health cover from 13 years ago, the TV presenter revealed his toned body, saying: “To get stronger, physically and mentally, is definitely harder the older you get. In my forties, I was still on the attack. In my fifties, I’m on the defensive.

“It’s all about how I prolong things now – not going out and smashing it left, right and centre.

“Proving to yourself you have the discipline to do something, proving you can be accountable to yourself is incredibly seductive and infectious. The more you get of that, the more you want it.”

Ben went on to explain that he appreciates his body now more than his 2012 photoshoot, and would “love” to recreate it again when he turns 60.

He told Men’s Health : “I think I value the condition I’m in now more than in 2012. I’ve got more lean muscle, that’s for sure.

“There are parts of my body that are bigger. I think my body fat is a little bit higher than it was then. Back then it was probably single figures and I think I’m about 10.5% to 10.8% now – which is extraordinary when you think I’m 13 years older.”

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.

This Morning star Ashley James has recalled a scary incident where she suspects her drink was spiked, which left her blacking out and meant she woke with no memory of her night.

Ashley James has recalled a scary incident where she suspected her drink was spiked and ended up blacked out. Detailing the experience, the This Morning star told Mirror: “There have been many occasions where I’ve wondered if I’ve been spiked. But we blame ourselves and think, ‘Maybe I was just drunk.’”

“I remember visiting my brother at university for a night out years ago. I had a total blackout, woke up in my brother’s room and I’d been sick – everywhere,” she said. Ashley continued: “That was a disproportionate reaction to what I drank that evening and I have no memory of the evening itself. It was terrifying.”

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The mum-of-two added, “I was really young so I didn’t think about spiking or what I should do in that situation. Like so many others, I blamed myself or simply thought the drinks were stronger than I thought. Luckily, nothing worse has happened.”

In our exclusive chat, the DJ and presenter, 38, admitted she wants to better the world for her children; Alfie, four, and Ada, two, whose dad is partner Tommy Andrews – particularly after some of these terrifying experiences of her own.

“I’m outspoken, but the more you talk about things, the more you can fight for change. There are so many scary things out there, especially as a mother; the thought of my children experiencing things I have – whether it’s trolling or other issues – makes me nervous. The world’s a scary place now.”

On the topic of trolling, something celebrities are all too familiar with, she talks about her experiences on social media and gossip website, Tattle Life, which is now being shut down. The website allows users to post anonymously, but Ashley says the harassment she has encountered on it has made its way into her home life, too.

“People don’t realise that it’s not just gossiping and chatting, it’s much darker,” she says. “In my case, someone made a false allegation against me to social services, who came to my door. “I told them that, day or night, if they came to my door they’d only see loved children, so I wasn’t worried. But it does endanger people when their family is involved. It’s scary as it’s entering the real world.”

Ashley continues, “Social services are overstretched as it is, so there should be repercussions for wasting their time. Put bluntly, other children could die if social services’ attention is elsewhere because of these allegations. People need to be accountable. If they’re going to say it online, they should say it with their faces and names made public. They should be as accountable online as they are offline.”

Experiences like this have made Ashley ultra-aware when it comes to educating her children about the internet. “My son is amazing; he’s sweet, sensitive and kind and I never want the world to convince him that those aren’t worthy attributes for men. We definitely need more kind and compassionate boys and men in the world, so that’s what I want to teach him,” she says.

Earlier this year, Ashley took to social media after being told that Alfie may need extra help from the Special Educational Needs department when he begins school. Ashley says she’s trusting her gut.

“The school did a SEN report which didn’t specifically label him or say why he needs extra help, and to be honest, I don’t really mind. I think any parent would welcome extra support for their child. “My role as his mum is to guide him and to trust my instincts, to ensure that he can thrive in a school setting. So, I feel reassured.”

As we chat about creating a better world for her children, Ashley says she’s working with anti-spiking campaign CounterSpike and charity Spike Aware UK to get rid of drink spiking in the future.

Admitting she wants to get rid of the ‘victim blaming’ mentality, Ashley said: “We ask how much they’ve had to drink. Even as parents, especially with daughters, people find themselves saying, ‘You can’t go out like that.’ But you’re equating their outfit to their morals, or their safety.

“The problem – even if it’s well intended – is that it’s telling her that she’s responsible for bad things happening to her, rather than the person doing them,” says Ashley. That’s why she’s pleased that CounterSpike has developed SpikeStixx, which enables people to test their drinks. “It’s a way to reassure your mates they haven’t just drunk too much – to know for sure.

“More than anything, it will hopefully help stop people from doing it. Because, right now, statistics from CounterSpike show that 90% of spiking goes unreported.”

“One day, my son and daughter will be going out into this world without me. I would really like to think that things will improve, and they can do that without fear.”

Ashley is the official ambassador for the launch of CounterSpike’s campaign and its SpikeStixx, which are available to buy at counterspike.com

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Since This Morning first began back in 1988 viewers have seen a string of well-known faces front the ITV show.

This Morning’s Cat Deeley took over the reins of the ITV programme alongside Ben Shephard in 2024, stepping into the shoes previously filled by Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.

Since their arrival, audiences have witnessed a roster of guest hosts including Rochelle Humes, Emma Willis, Rylan Clark and Paddy McGuinness filling in when needed.

But it appears one ITV personality has set their sights firmly on the coveted presenting position – and they’re certainly familiar with the programme.

Former Made in Chelsea star turned broadcaster Ashley James has disclosed her ambitions to secure the hosting role.

In conversation with The Sun, she revealed: “I’ve always said that I’m always there when the time comes. I would always love to host This Morning.

“I kind of follow where my interests are, and it’s got me to where I am today, and I’m always going to work harder than anyone else.”

The 38-year-old acknowledged her fortune, looking back on her entertainment career beginnings in 2012 when she had no industry connections whatsoever, reports Wales Online.

Ashley disclosed that upon leaving her previous employment, appearing on This Morning became her primary objective.

Her aspirations appear to have materialised, as ITV audiences regularly spot her as a guest panellist, frequently offering her perspective on current affairs alongside Nick Ferrari.

She continued: “I wanted to be on This Morning because it’s a show that I grew up idolising. It was the goal. So I love it and it’s such an amazing team. I love everybody that’s on there, both in front of the camera and and behind the scenes.”

Although Ashley hasn’t taken up the mantle of presenter just yet, it was recently revealed that Love Island alum and Loose Women panellist Olivia Attwood will be taking the reins of the show this summer.

During a chat about her upcoming gig with Ben and Cat, she expressed her enthusiasm.

She said: “I’m going to be doing a couple of shows in the summer, I’m very excited to be joining you guys.

“It’s a huge honour, I’ve obviously grown up watching this show and being part of the Daytime team with the Loose Women has been the best experience and this just feels like a very natural progression of that.”

Ben and Cat have thrown their support behind Olivia, hinting that she’ll do a ‘brilliant’ job in her new role.

This Morning is available to watch on ITVX.