Ben Shephard's midlife crisis career move has left him with sleepless nights and a unique perspective on live TV. In an exclusive interview, Ben opened up about the 'addictive' adrenaline rush of presenting live, but also the nerves that gripped him when he competed on The Masked Singer. He described the anticipation and the sense of responsibility that comes with live TV, saying, "Once you're used to it, that's what you rely on." But it was his time on The Masked Singer that truly pushed him out of his comfort zone.
"I was slap bang in the middle of a midlife crisis," Ben joked. "Surrounding myself in a beautiful Conkers costume was much better than getting a fast car!" He revealed the intense pressure of learning lyrics and songs, waking up in the middle of the night to sing them over and over. "It was traumatic and brilliant at the same time," he said, describing the juxtaposition of the incredible rush and the relentless schedule.
Ben narrowly missed out on winning The Masked Singer, but he admitted to being 'mortified' after performing a JLS hit in front of Marvin Humes, who was also a contestant. Keeping his identity a secret was especially challenging given his close friendship with host Joel Dommett. "That moment of the reveal was hilarious, with Joel collapsing next to me," Ben recalled.
As Ben approached his 50th birthday, he decided to challenge himself physically, posing for the cover of Men's Health and showcasing his chiselled physique. Committed to a healthy lifestyle, Ben had to balance his gruelling early mornings on breakfast TV with family life. In 2024, he took it a step further, cutting out alcohol and sugar completely to achieve his best shape.
"My health drive is about longevity," he said. "I want to make sure I live every day to the extreme." Ben reflected on how his routine and career had shaped him, and how turning 50 inspired him to set new physical challenges and embrace the next chapter of his life. "I want to make the most of every single day," he added.
Ben's commitment to a full and healthy life has inspired him to launch a skincare range, 'Joel And Ben For Skin', alongside his podcast co-host Joel. Recognizing the importance of skincare and the interest of younger generations, they aim to create a high-performance, low-effort range with a touch of humor. "We want it to be simple and easy, but also have a laugh along the way," Ben explained.
In a fun twist, Ben and Joel even made a bet with their podcast listeners, promising a nipple piercing for the one with the fewest sign-ups. Ultimately, it was Joel who lost the challenge, with Ben recalling, "I was traumatized watching that piercing!"
Ben Shephard's journey is a testament to embracing challenges and finding joy in the process, even if it means a few sleepless nights along the way.
