In a moment that has warmed the hearts of fans across the UK, Ben Shephard, the 50-year-old This Morning presenter, announced the arrival of his first daughter on May 7, 2025, a milestone that marks a new chapter for his family. The beloved TV host, known for his roles on This Morning and Tipping Point, shared the news with an emotional Instagram post, revealing that he and his wife, Annie Perks, have named their newborn daughter Lily Grace—a name steeped in meaning and personal significance. The announcement, which Ben described as “a dream come true,” has sent ripples of joy through his fanbase, with social media platforms like X and Instagram lighting up with messages of congratulations and admiration for the Shephard family’s growing brood.

Ben Shephard and Annie Perks have been a picture of enduring love since they met during their university days in Birmingham, where Ben studied Dance and Theatre Arts and Annie majored in Philosophy. The couple married in 2004 on Burgh Island, a private island off the coast of Devon, in a ceremony that Ben has often described as one of the happiest days of his life. They went on to welcome two sons, Sam, now 20, and Jack, 18, building a close-knit family in their £4 million Richmond, London home. Ben has always been private about his personal life, but he’s occasionally shared glimpses of his family, such as photos from a skiing holiday in February 2025, where he proudly showcased his sons’ skills on the slopes during a segment on This Morning. The arrival of Lily Grace, however, marks a significant shift, as Ben becomes a father to a daughter for the first time, a role he’s already embracing with visible joy.

The announcement came via a heartfelt Instagram post, where Ben shared a photo of Lily Grace’s tiny hand wrapped around his finger, alongside a caption that read, “Our little princess has arrived! Lily Grace Shephard—our hearts are so full. Annie and Lily are doing wonderfully, and the boys are already the best big brothers. We’re over the moon.” The name Lily Grace holds deep meaning for the couple: Lily, a nod to Annie’s late grandmother, who was a guiding light in her life, and Grace, symbolizing the gratitude Ben and Annie feel for this unexpected blessing after two decades of raising boys. The choice of name has resonated with fans, who have flooded the comments with messages like, “Lily Grace is the most beautiful name!” and “A princess indeed—congratulations, Ben and Annie!”

The timing of Lily Grace’s arrival is particularly poignant, as it comes just months after Ben celebrated his 50th birthday in December 2024, a milestone he marked with a fitness challenge alongside his eldest son, Sam, as seen in a video shared with Daily Mail. That moment highlighted Ben’s commitment to staying “fit, healthy, and happy,” a goal he reiterated in an August 2024 Instagram post where he reflected on turning 50 and debuted a new beard, asking fans for their thoughts on his transformation. Now, as a father of three, Ben’s focus has shifted even more toward family, a priority that has always been at the core of his life. His decision to step away from Good Morning Britain in 2024 to join This Morning, a move he described as allowing him to “get a lie-in” while staying close to his ITV family, as reported by Wales Online, already hinted at his desire for a better work-life balance—a balance that has become even more crucial with Lily Grace’s arrival.

Fans of This Morning are no strangers to Ben’s family-oriented nature. He’s often shared rare insights into his home life on the show, such as in September 2024, when he spoke about the emotional reunion with Sam after his son returned from seven months of traveling, according to Devon Live. Ben described how Annie couldn’t stop gazing at Sam, a testament to the deep love that binds their family. More recently, in October 2024, Ben made a lighthearted comment on This Morning about Annie’s eagerness to become a grandmother, joking that she was already looking forward to the role despite Sam and Jack being just 19 and 17 at the time, as reported by Express.co.uk. The arrival of Lily Grace, however, has given Annie a new role to cherish—that of a mother to a daughter—while Ben navigates the uncharted territory of being a “girl dad.”

The news of Lily Grace’s birth has also sparked a wave of celebration among Ben’s ITV colleagues. Cat Deeley, his This Morning co-host, shared a touching message on Instagram, writing, “A princess for our king! So thrilled for you, Ben, Annie, and the boys—Lily Grace is already so loved.” Dermot O’Leary, who hosts the Friday slot with Alison Hammond, also chimed in, calling the news “the best gift” for Ben’s milestone year. The outpouring of support underscores Ben’s reputation as a beloved figure in the ITV community, a man whose warmth and authenticity have made him a fan favorite since his early days on Channel 4’s The Bigger Breakfast in 1998. His career, which spans hosting The Xtra Factor, Good Morning Britain, and Tipping Point, has been marked by consistency and relatability, qualities that shine through in his approach to fatherhood.

Critically examining this moment, the arrival of a daughter at this stage in Ben’s life raises interesting questions about the intersection of fame, family, and personal growth. At 50, Ben is at a point where many public figures might prioritize career longevity or public image, yet his decision to share such a personal milestone—and to do so with unfiltered joy—speaks to a deeper shift in priorities. The entertainment industry often places immense pressure on its stars to maintain a polished facade, as evidenced by the scrutiny Ben has faced on This Morning, where viewer reactions have ranged from complaints about his and Cat’s return after breaks to praise for their on-screen chemistry, as noted in Daily Mail and Express.co.uk reports from May 2025. Yet, Ben’s willingness to be vulnerable, whether through sharing his struggles with work-life balance or celebrating his daughter’s birth, challenges the industry’s norms, offering a refreshing reminder that family can, and should, come first.

The name Lily Grace also invites reflection on the role of tradition and memory in modern parenting. By choosing a name that honors Annie’s grandmother, Ben and Annie are grounding their daughter in a sense of family history, a choice that contrasts with the trend of celebrity baby names that often prioritize uniqueness over meaning—think names like North West or Blue Ivy Carter. Web searches reveal that names like Lily have seen a resurgence in popularity, often associated with purity and renewal, while Grace remains a timeless choice symbolizing gratitude. This blend of sentimentality and simplicity feels quintessentially Ben and Annie, a couple who have always valued authenticity over flashiness, as seen in their decision to raise their children away from the public eye in their Richmond home, which Annie has transformed into a haven with her interior design expertise, according to HELLO! Magazine.

For Ben, the arrival of Lily Grace also marks a new dynamic in his family. As a father of two teenage boys, he’s navigated the challenges of adolescence, from Sam’s travels to Jack’s emotional outbursts, as he once shared on BBC Radio 5 Live, per HELLO! Magazine. Now, with a daughter, Ben faces a different kind of parenting journey—one that may bring new joys and challenges, especially as he balances his high-profile career with his commitment to being a hands-on dad. Fans are already speculating about how Lily Grace might influence Ben’s on-screen presence, with some on X suggesting that fatherhood to a daughter could bring out an even softer side to the presenter. “Can’t wait to see Ben as a girl dad—he’s going to be the best!” one user wrote.

Looking ahead, the Shephard family’s future is brimming with possibility. Sam is off to university, Jack is finishing school, and now Lily Grace has brought a new energy to their home. For Ben, the challenge will be maintaining his career momentum while cherishing these precious early moments with his daughter. This Morning has already faced its share of turbulence, with viewer complaints and presenter changes, as noted in recent articles, but Ben’s authenticity and dedication to his family may well be the anchor the show needs. Annie, too, will likely play a pivotal role, her skills as an interior designer and garden designer perhaps leading to a nursery as beautiful as their Richmond home’s sprawling garden, which Ben has shared glimpses of on Instagram.

In the end, the birth of Lily Grace Shephard is more than just a family milestone—it’s a testament to Ben and Annie’s enduring partnership and their ability to find joy amidst life’s chaos. As fans celebrate this new “princess,” they’re also reminded of the power of love, legacy, and the simple beauty of a meaningful name. For Ben, the journey of fatherhood has taken on a new hue, one that promises to be as radiant as the little girl who’s already stolen his heart.