this mourning
Ben Shephard’s GMB co-star pays emotional tribute to him ahead of his exit to host This Morning alongside Cat Deeley
An emotional Dickie looked back on his two decades working with the presenter
RICHARD Arnold has emotionally paid tribute to Ben Shephard ahead of his Good Morning Britain exit.
Ben, 49, hosted GMB for the final time today ahead of his move to This Morning alongside Cat Deeley, 47.
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Taking to Instagram yesterday, entertainment editor Richard, 54, looked back on his two decades working with the presenter on morning TV.
Alongside a montage of throwback snaps, he wrote, "For 24 years it’s been early to bed… and early to rise for me alongside this one serving bawd and banter for breakfast @itv - almost a quarter century raising a titter with a cheeky twinkle over the nation’s snap crackle and pop.
"@benshephardofficial you are the greatest wingman, on air and off, a consummate pro and the most loyal of pals.
"Here’s a trip down memory lane, buddy, from my personal collection. You’ll be palpably relieved that I can only post the ten!
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"Tune into @gmb from 6am tomorrow as we give our Ben a swansong fit for a man who has never hit a duff note!"
Emotional Dickie gave his work pal a big hug and told him, "I love you, mate," during today's installment.
Ben and Cat's This Morning start date was also revealed, with Richard telling viewers that Ben will begin his new chapter on Monday, March 11.
Earlier in the episode Andi Peters fought back tears and struggled to get through a competition segment as he choked up over Ben's exit.
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Andi, who has worked with Ben for two decades, presented him with a memento to take with him, a miniature bobbing head figurine of himself.
Through the episode various tributes came in from the likes of football managers Sam Allardyce and Harry Redknapp and Coronation Street star Patti Clare, who plays florist Mary Taylor in the soap and invited Ben to join her on the cobbles if his new gig doesn't work out.
Co-star Lorraine Kelly urged him to "not lose his cheekiness" and told him she "loved him very much".
Ben and Cat won't be far away from the GMB team, in fact their new studio is just next door.
The presenting duo have bagged £550,000 deals to lead the flagship ITV programme - £150,000 less than predecessors Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
Roman Kemp is officially in the running to replace Ben on GMB - according to bookies at least.
The Capital FM breakfast show host announced this week that he will be leaving the radio station to new ventures.
According to , frequent guest hosts Adil Ray and Ed Balls are currently the favourites to become permanent.
Ray stands at 5/2, while Balls is matching Rylan at 4/1.
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