Kate Garraway has confirmed to Good Morning Britain viewers that Ben Shephard is leaving the show.
Ben, 45, who has been on the ITV breakfast programme for six years, is taking a break to concentrate on another programme.
Ben and Kate, 53, have been regular stand-in presenters of GMB, taking the helm whenever Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid are off.
Kate, 53, said: "This is Ben's last day. You're going to have a bit of time off, aren't you?"
Ben explained that he is going to turn his focus to his ITV game show Tipping Point, which is heading back to the studio for series 11.
He explained: "I'm not having any time off at all - we're about to hit peak Tipping Point! Tipping Point series 11 and we're back in the studio, back at it, all socially distanced.
"The set's had to change in order to get everybody up and running.
"I'm not going to be here but I'm going to be working, Kate Garraway. I know you think I've got my feet up and trotters up down in the south of France."
Since Piers and Susanna went off on their extended summer break, Ben has been a regular feature on the panel.
And Kate couldn’t resist winding him up a little bit by wrapping herself up in a ‘Ben blanket’ - referencing the prop that will make an appearance on Coronation Street.
On the soap, Ben will feature as a crush for Mary Taylor, who reveals she has a blanket covered in his face that she likes to cuddle.
“As you’re going to disappear off to Tipping Point, I have got myself my own blanket,” teased Kate.
“The team at GMB feel like we all need a Ben blanket. What do you think of that?”
She then started wrapping it around herself.
“You just feel a warm Shephard oozing all over you. It’s so lovely,” she joked.
Looking creeped out, Ben replied: “You have said some ridiculous things in the past but that one, Garraway, might be the most uncomfortable you have ever uttered.”
GMB airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.
