Ben Shephard, 51, has confessed wife Annie is "much happier in her own company" in a candid marriage revelation. The This Morning host has been wed to his partner for more than two decades, and the pair share two sons, Sam, 21, and Jack, 19.

The presenter, who is hosting new ITV challenge programme The Summit, typically keeps his domestic life extremely private, but in a fresh interview, he disclosed how he and Annie lead "separate lives".

Discussing their contrasting approaches to quality time together, and Annie's reluctance to engage with the celebrity aspect of his profession, Ben revealed: "Annie is much more solitary than me.

"She's much happier in her own company. Half the time she's like, 'I need a bit of space. Can you leave me alone for five seconds, please?'".

Nevertheless, Ben was eager to emphasise to the Daily Mail's Weekend magazine that, regardless of their differences, Annie remains the "most important factor in our lives as a family", reports The Mirror.

Ben and Annie are currently bracing themselves for the "imminent" moment they become "empty-nesters", with their son Jack working as a teaching assistant before embarking on travels, and their eldest child, Sam, presently studying maths at university.

The couple already experience a more tranquil household, and fitness devotee Ben disclosed: "We do live quite separate lives.

"I'm off working, she has her job, which is garden and interior design. If I've got spare time I want to do something physical."

Although Ben is more inclined to go for a jog and enjoy a round of golf during his leisure time, whilst Annie favours visiting art galleries and gardens, the Tipping Point presenter told the publication that they're working towards discovering activities they can both relish when their sons are elsewhere.

The star disclosed: "It's about finding things that work for both of us – but as I say, that feels really exciting."

Ben's frank marital revelation follows his becoming tearful live on This Morning whilst discussing his son Jack's 19th birthday.

When his co-presenter, Cat Deeley, enquired how Annie was feeling about the milestone moment, Ben shared a wave of nostalgia, telling viewers: "They had a big party, but it's that moment where...a friend of ours messaged us saying that 19 years ago, Annie held Jack in her arms for the first time.

"It was quite a moment, like...'Wow, he's got so big so fast!'".