Ben Shephard revealed on Good Morning Britain that they have been preparing for the Queen's death for the last 10-15 years.

The Tipping Point star, 47, fronted Monday (September 12) morning's instalment of the ITV show alongside Susanna Reid in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II 's death on Thursday (September 8).

During a chat with radio presenter Andrew Marr, Ben explained that he and his colleagues had rehearsed "various times" what to do if the Queen passed away mid-broadcast.

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The former BBC News star, 63, was live on the radio when the news emerged and broke down as he shared it with the nation.

Referring to that moment, Ben explained to Andrew: "It's gripping to listen to because of course you're doing what great broadcasters do and you're talking about something that you can feel is coming but you don't know when it's going to happen."

He added: "And obviously, the news comes through whilst you're live, whilst you're talking. And then you have to interrupt yourself."

"All of us here at various times over the last 10/15 years have prepared for this, have rehearsed for this. We'll plan what's going to happen – there's a protocol about it all," the presenter revealed, adding: "But the reality of that moment for all of us has struck really hard."

Discussing how he felt about having to break the news, Andrew told the presenters: "We all knew it was going to happen. Of course it wasn't a surprise, she was 96; we're all human and all that. And yet it wasn't a surprise, but it was a shock."

"And that I think is because we've lived all our lives of the Queen as part of the backdrop. She's always been there. It's like part of the landscape has suddenly been removed," he added.

Buckingham Palace released a statement confirming the news that Her Majesty had died peacefully surrounded by her family at the age of 96.

The Queen reigned over the United Kingdom since 1952 and is the country’s longest-serving monarch.

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV at 6am

You can leave your tributes to Queen Elizabeth II here.

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• Ben Shephard
• Queen
• Good Morning Britain

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