Ben Shephard shocked by live grand gesture on This Morning

On Monday, October 14, 2024, during a live broadcast of This Morning, hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley were taken by surprise when Jeff Brazier, reporting from Times Square, unveiled a large billboard featuring their faces. This unexpected gesture was part of a promotional campaign for an ITV competition, aimed at engaging viewers and generating excitement. The moment left both presenters speechless, with Cat expressing her disbelief and Ben requesting photos of the display. While the hosts were thrilled by the grand gesture, the reaction from viewers was mixed. Many took to social media to voice their discontent regarding the decision to send Brazier to New York for the promotion. Critics questioned the necessity of such an extravagant approach, especially in light of environmental concerns and the ongoing discussions about corporate responsibility. Comments on Twitter reflected a growing frustration among the audience, with some users sarcastically questioning the rationale behind the trip. They highlighted the contrast between the lavish promotion and the network's previous commitments to environmental issues, suggesting that sending a presenter to New York was not in line with those values. The incident sparked a broader conversation about the appropriateness of such promotional tactics in the current climate, raising questions about the balance between entertainment and environmental responsibility in media practices.