Ben Shephard’s recent behaviour on This Morning has set tongues wagging, with insiders saying his bold and sometimes intrusive questioning has sparked chaos behind the scenes. The usually mild-mannered host, known for his warm and approachable style, has been crossing boundaries, causing tensions among PR teams and making some guests uneasy.
The latest incident that raised eyebrows occurred during an interview with TV star Stacey Solomon, where Ben, without warning, took the conversation down an unexpectedly personal path. While Stacey was on the show to discuss her guest role on Britain’s Got Talent, Ben veered off script and questioned her about the state of her marriage to Joe Swash, saying, “You haven’t been wearing your ring… is there something going on?”
The comment left Stacey, a bubbly mother of five, momentarily taken aback. With a laugh, she responded lightheartedly, “I probably took it off to go to the toilet or something.” But Ben wasn’t done—he continued by referencing a supposed issue with their home’s fishing lake, poking fun at the situation further. Despite Stacey’s playful response, it was clear that the topic had turned awkward, leaving many viewers to wonder: Is this what they tune in for?
Ben called in to question Stacey Solomon’s almost four-year marriage to Joe Swash in an unexpected turnCredit: Eroteme
This wasn’t an isolated incident. According to insiders, Ben’s questioning style has become more confrontational over the past six months, raising concerns among PR professionals about placing their clients on the show. “It’s This Morning, not Newsnight,” one source stated. “Over the last few months, Ben has been asking tougher, more controversial questions, and it’s making everyone nervous.”
This Morning has long been a daytime favourite known for its light-hearted, positive atmosphere—a platform for
to promote their latest projects in a relaxed, safe environment. But Ben’s recent approach is straying from that formula. The insiders revealed that editors had previously agreed with key guests to avoid personal topics, but Ben’s recent behaviour is making it harder to ensure that the show remains a safe space for stars to open up without fear of controversial questions.
For Stacey, whose marriage to Joe Swash has been the subject of tabloid rumours, the line of questioning about her relationship stirred up even more attention. Fans had already noticed that Stacey hadn’t been wearing her wedding ring, sparking speculation about their relationship. With the media already scrutinising her personal life, Ben’s probing only added fuel to the fire.
One insider explained, “Ben wants to come across as a hard-hitting interviewer, but This Morning is supposed to be a light, positive show. It’s about keeping the talent feeling comfortable and not making them feel interrogated. But Ben’s new style is leaving a lot of PR teams unhappy. They feel like they have to do damage control after every appearance.”
While Ben’s approach may not be the most popular behind the scenes, there’s no denying that it makes for some explosive moments. As one insider pointed out, “Ben’s style often delivers the kind of raw, real moments that create talking points and standout moments for the show. But it’s a delicate balance. You can’t keep upsetting guests if you want them to keep coming back.”
For many viewers, however, Ben’s hard-hitting questions are a refreshing change. His willingness to dive into the nitty-gritty is what some feel makes This Morning more engaging, especially when
have answers fans are eager to hear. But others are questioning whether his recent approach risks alienating future guests, making them think twice before agreeing to appear on the show.
Ben’s bold questioning has extended beyond just Stacey Solomon. The host recently took a personal dive into Olivia Attwood’s life, a friend off-screen, when she was on the show promoting her reality cooking show The Heat. Attwood, who has been going through a public divorce from footballer Bradley Dack, was caught off guard when Ben asked how she was coping with the breakdown of her marriage, despite the topic being painful for her to discuss.
This constant questioning of personal lives doesn’t seem to be stopping any time soon. Ben recently pushed for answers about Princess and Junior Andre’s relationship with their mother’s new husband, even though the topic was off-limits. This boldness could be seen as a desperate attempt to outshine other presenters by asking the tough questions, but it’s also raising eyebrows about whether it’s crossing a line.
One thing is clear: Ben Shephard’s style is evolving, and This Morning may never be the same. Whether this new, edgier approach works for the show’s long-term future remains to be seen. For now, the question remains: Is Ben going too far?
