THIS MORNING host Ben Shephard has opened up about the tragic death of his grandad who died before he was born.
The star, 51, never got the opportunity to meet him as he passed away in a terrifying accident when his mum was just 7-years-of-age.
Ben Shephard has opened up about a tragic family drowningCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
The This Morning presenter revealed his grandad died before he was bornCredit: Rex
Speaking to Daily Mail , he divulged: “Mum and Dad both came from working-class backgrounds.
“Mum lost her father when she was seven, he drowned trying to save her sister in a river. They grew up on one income, with very little.”
Ben was born in Epping, and despite going to a private school, he has maintained that his parents David and Jo have had to work hard for him to have the life he has.
He continued: “My dad left school with no qualifications, but put himself through night school to become an accountant.
“He got up at six, went off to the City, came back at eight and worked again.
“Mum did nights as a nurse and midwife, got an hour’s sleep then lectured during the day. They passed on their work ethic.”
Ben’s new challenge show, The Summit, is gearing up to air on ITV1 next month and it’s a far cry from his work on daytime television.
The action-packed series sees 14 strangers tackle climbing a mountain in – while competing for a share of £200,000.
The Summit’s contestants will face challenges set by the mysterious Mountain’s Keeper as well as experiencing tough weather and terrain conditions.
As they battle it out against one another in hopes of claiming the prize, they’ll brutally have vote each other off along the way.
Speaking previously, 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.”
The host recently for £5m and upgraded to a mansion that boasts ten bedrooms and cost a cool £3.5m.
The star, who lives with his wife Annie and their sons Jack and Sam, cashed in on his last home, after buying it for £2.95m in 2016, and selling it last year for £5.3m.
Ben is understood to earn a yearly salary of around £550K, so the profit will have no doubt boosted his bank balance considerably.
The four-bedroom south-west London house, which had been the family home for nearly a decade, boasts a huge garden, massive dining area and a spacious living area.
But the Shephard family have now left the house behind and moved into a Grade II listed building that was once owned by a bishop.
Ben’s new show The Summit is all set to air next month on ITV1Credit: ITV
Ben and his wife Annie along with their two sons moved into a new home last monthCredit: Instagram
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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