Ben Shephard has candidly shared that his stint on The Masked Singer came at a turbulent time in his life, saying he was “in the middle of a midlife crisis” during the show. The 51-year-old television presenter surprised fans when he was revealed as Conkers in the latest series, finishing as the runner-up to Sugababes’ Keisha Buchanan, who appeared as Moth.
Reflecting on the experience, Ben told the Daily Mail that the show provided a creative outlet during a difficult phase, joking that it was “much better than getting a fast car.” He explained, “Basically, doing The Masked Singer, I was slap bang in the middle of a midlife crisis, but what was much better than getting a fast car was to surround myself in a beautiful Conkers costume.”
Ben also described the demanding nature of the competition, sharing how he would rehearse songs incessantly even in the middle of the night. “I had so many flipping songs and lyrics to memorise, I would wake up in the dead of night, and I would try and go for a wee, and I would have to sing the song three times in my head before I could go,” he revealed.
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He described the experience as “traumatic” due to the intense pressure and sleepless nights, but also exhilarating. “It was relentless and brilliant at the same time. It was this crazy juxtaposition of this incredible rush when it was done and the trauma of doing even more tomorrow because we filmed every other day.”
Turning 50 in 2024 marked a pivotal moment for Ben, driving him to adopt a healthier lifestyle and push his physical limits. He admitted, “I likely have less time ahead than I’ve already lived,” a realization that fuels his desire to live life to the fullest. Though he admits to being a bit more lenient with treats like alcohol and sugar, he says he has maintained his commitment to self-improvement.
Ben hopes his journey inspires others, saying, “If I can do it, why can’t anybody else?”
In a touching moment shared during a recent ITV broadcast of This Morning, Ben recalled how his co-presenter Cat Deeley was moved to tears when she first saw his Conkers costume. “He was such a special character, she burst into tears when she saw him. Those big eyes and wobbly knees. It was a testament to costume over class, because I certainly shouldn’t have been there!”
Looking back, Ben described the Masked Singer experience as “extraordinary” and encouraged himself to embrace even more challenges after turning 50. Calling it his “favourite” scary adventure yet, he’s clearly eager to continue living boldly in the years to come.