Ben Shephard was born on 11 December 1974. Having excelled at school, he achieved a 21 BA Honours from Birmingham University in Dance, Drama & Theatre Arts.

In addition to this, Ben has travelled the world solo visiting five continents and utilised his fluency in French, as well as his wine tasting training, by working in a French wine chateau (which he nearly burnt down!!!)

Sport plays a huge part in Ben's life - as well as being a huge West Ham Supporter (he famously got Britney Spears to admit she was a fan of the Hammers), he also has representative honours in both rugby & football. Ben is an extreme sports FANATIC, frequently participating in kitesurfing, wakeboarding and surfing, as well as racing Fiestas for Team Ford.

Ben got his first TV break in March 1998 when he hosted Control Freaks for Channel 4. This was swiftly followed by co-hosting The Bigger Breakfast (Ch4) with Melanie Sykes and such was Ben's success that he subsequently became a regular presenter along side Mel and Josie D'Arby

In October 1998, Ben launched the cult Sunday morning TV show, T4 and remained its anchor presenter until December 1999. In September 1999, Ben joined ITV2's successful magazine show Bedrock.

2000 was a busy year for Ben - he became the regular main presenter of Eastenders Revealed (BBC1 & BBC3) and Planet Pop (CH4), whilst also co-presenting MTV Select with Kelly Brook, Exclusive (CH5) with Lisa Rogers and Maths 4 Real (Ch4).

In September 2000, Ben joined GMTV as the co-host of Entertainment Today (8.30-9.25am, ITV1) with Jenni Falconer, where he has interview literally hundreds of celebrities including the likes of Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez, Halli Berry, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Affleck, Sandra Bullock and Nicholas Cage.

Ben first sat on the GMTV sofa as a stand in for Eamonn Holmes in July 2003 - the youngest male to ever do so! He took over the reigns in May 2005, sharing the duties with Andrew Castle.

Other presentation credits include Pop Idol 2003 The Final (ITV1) The Great British Driving Test (ITV1), Am I Good in Bed (ITV1) - Britain's first ever sex survey joined the presentation teams of both Holiday on a Shoestring (BBC1) & Summer Holiday (BBC1) Sing With A Star (ITV1) hosted coverage of the British Soap Awards 2001, 2002, 2003 (ITV2) and The Southampton Boat Show (ITV1). Recently, Ben co-hosted the ITV2 coverage of The BAFTA Television Awards 2004 and The 2004 British Soap Awards with Jenni Falconer.

From September to December 2004, Ben presented his own show for ITV2 The Xtra Factor, the now highly acclaimed companion show to ITV1's The X Factor, Ben also repeated this in the 2005 heats and again in 2006. In October 04 Ben participated in The Match (Sky One) and re-joined the squad for the re-match in October 2005.

Whilst continuing to present GMTV & Entertainment Today, Ben also co-presenting Solution Street with Gaby Roslin (ITV1), hosted the ITV1 Saturday night special 'Discomania 2' with Gloria Gaynor and filmed two Behind the Scenes Specials for ITV1 on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

In early 2006 and along with co-presenter Fern Britton, he presented the reality TV show Soapstar Superstar which was won by Coronation Street's Richard Fleeshman.