Ben Shephard says he has been rehearsing the Queen's death for years

Sam Moore
·2-min read

Watch: Ben Shephard reveals how GMB prepared for the Queen's death

Ben Shephard has said he has spent '15 years' rehearsing the Queen's death in his role as a presenter on Good Morning Britain.

During the latest episode of ITV's morning programme on 12 September, Shephard was talking to guest and fellow broadcaster Andrew Marr about the impact the death of Britain's longest serving monarch had on news rooms.

Read more: Where will the Queen be buried and will she be next to Prince Philip?

Shephard, who also hosts Tipping Point, said: "All of us here at various times over the last 10-15 years have prepared for this, have rehearsed for this moment."

He added: "You’ll do rehearsals, you’ll plan what’s going to happen; there’s a protocol about it all. But the reality of that moment for all of us has struck really, really hard."

Ben Shephard and Susanna Reid hosting Good Morning Britain on 12 September, 2022. (ITV)
Ben Shephard and Susanna Reid hosting Good Morning Britain on 12 September, 2022. (ITV)

Marr also added his thoughts on the Queen's death: "I think because we’ve lived all our lives with the Queen as part of the backdrop. She’s always been there. It’s like part of the landscape has suddenly been removed."

The Queen died last Thursday at her Balmoral estate in Scotland with Buckingham Palace saying she passed "peacefully".

File photo dated 15/07/22 of Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to officially open the new building at Thames Hospice, Maidenhead, Berkshire. The Queen will miss the Braemar Gathering in Scotland, the popular Highland Games event which the Prince of Wales is scheduled to attend on Saturday. It is understood the decision has been taken for the comfort of the head of state who has been suffering from mobility problems since last year. Issue date: Friday September 2, 2022.
Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96. (AP)

It has been confirmed that her funeral will take place on 19 September with the day being made a national bank holiday.

It is widely known that news broadcasters have run rehearsals in the event of the Queen's death for a number of years.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: A woman places a Paddington Bear doll on a wall outside Windsor Castle following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, on September 12, 2022 in London, United Kingdom. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and acceded to the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
The UK mourns the death of Queen Elizabeth II. (Getty Images)

Huw Edwards was the broadcaster who broke the news to the nation on the BBC with the Welsh presenter receiving high praise for his handling of the events.

Edwards was wildly acclaimed on social media with one viewer writing: "Huw Edwards doing a brilliant job of guiding the country through such a massive moment in our national history. The perfect tone."

Edwards was also the lead anchor for the funeral of Prince Philip last year.

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