ITV’s This Morning host Ben Shephard said the pair “clashed an awful lot” before eventually managing to turn their “dysfunctional” relationship around
Ben Shephard has opened up about the emotional letter he once wrote to his father after years of clashing with him. The 51-year-old said his relationship with his dad, who was also his rugby coach, was “dysfunctional” during his teenage years, though they have since grown much closer.
Looking back, however, Ben said maturity and life experience helped him recognise that his father’s strictness came from a place of good intention.
Reflecting on what he would tell his younger self, the This Morning presenter said: “Listen to what your dad’s saying, because he knows what he’s talking about.
“When I was travelling, I wrote him a letter saying sorry for my lack of understanding and respect. It’s not that I didn’t respect how hard he worked or the opportunities he gave us, but our relationship was so dysfunctional.”
Speaking to The Big Issue, Ben, who was unveiled as Conkers on ITV’s The Masked Singer last weekend, admitted he and his father “clashed an awful lot” when he was younger and struggled to connect outside of sport.
“It was my way of saying, ‘Sorry, you were right – I can see what you were trying to do,'” he said.
He described the letter as a turning point, written while he was travelling solo around the world.
“It was this moment of adventure, being on my own but also realising what you need in order to be independent,” he explained.
“I finally understood what my dad had been trying to give me for years – the discipline and organisation I didn’t have.”
Ben has since learned that his dad had kept the letter in his briefcase while he was still working, adding: “I think he’s probably still got it.”
The ITV star grew up in Epping, Essex, with his parents and his siblings, Toby and Alex.
During the same interview, he reflected on the “incredible sacrifices” his parents made to provide a good life for their children, including sending them to private school.
Inspired by their work ethic, Ben said he hopes to continue working for as long as he physically can.
In recent years, his busy schedule has included presenting This Morning, filming Tipping Point, and fronting ITV’s new show The Summit.
While he admits to sometimes feeling “overwhelmed” by the relentless pace, he insists he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Part of me, and maybe this comes from my dad, thinks, if I stop, what happens? I thrive on being busy,” he added.
Away from television, Ben has been married to his wife Annie since 2004 and the couple share two sons, Sam, 21, and Jack, 19.
Speaking recently about their relationship, he acknowledged that they “lead quite separate lives,” but emphasised that Annie remains “the most important factor in our lives as a family”.
He added to the Daily Mail’s Weekend magazine. “I’m off working, she has her job in garden and interior design. If I’ve got spare time, I want to do something physical.”
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV and ITVX
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