Ben Shephard, the 51-year-old This Morning host, celebrated his 22nd wedding anniversary with wife Annie by posting a rare selfie from the early days of their romance. He called her “the best thing to ever happen to me” in the caption, reflecting on their journey together.

A Lasting Romance Begins

Twenty-two years ago, Annie agreed to their relationship with a simple “oh go on then,” Shephard shared. It took him nine years to propose in Paris, leading to their 2004 wedding in Salcombe, Devon. The couple first met as students at the University of Birmingham.

Shephard joked in his post about his admiration for West Ham legend Mark Noble alongside his love for Annie. The update drew warm responses from colleagues, including podcast co-host Joel Dommett, who called it “THE BEST,” and This Morning co-star Cat Deeley, who quipped, “Oh go on then ‘The Marvelous Mrs Sheps.'”

Family Life and Shared Secrets

Shephard and Annie share sons Sam, 21, who studies mathematics at university, and Jack, 19, who works as a teaching assistant while saving for a travel adventure. As empty nesters approach, Shephard embraces the change.

“Annie was with me way before I got into telly,” Shephard recently shared. “She has been through everything with me, the highs and lows. She’s exceptionally patient. And I’m very patient with new shoes. What I really think is that we were great mates when we got together.”

Annie stays out of the spotlight, focusing on family and her interior design career. “Annie has been brilliant at allowing me the space to go off and do the job I do,” Shephard explained. “She’s been the most important factor in our lives as a family; this amazing influence who created the home for our boys to become who they are and certainly made me better at being a dad.”

Embracing the Next Chapter

With separate interests—Shephard enjoys golf, runs, gym sessions, football, and rugby, while Annie prefers art galleries and gardens—the couple looks forward to new shared activities. “Both of us feel like this next stage is really exciting,” he said. “We do live quite separate lives. I’m off working, she has her job, which is garden and interior design. It’s about finding things that work for both of us—but as I say, that feels really exciting.”

Shephard has presented shows like This Morning, Tipping Point, and The Summit for two decades, crediting Annie’s support throughout.