Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley Leave ITV’s Iconic Studio for Heartfelt Cause on This Morning
Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard took This Morning viewers on an emotional journey on Monday, September 9, as they hosted the show from Westfield shopping center in West London, moving away from the familiar ITV studio. The change in location wasn’t just for aesthetics; it carried a heartbreaking message that left many viewers at home deeply moved.
The outdoor broadcast was centered around a striking display of 6,929 birthday balloons, part of a campaign by mental health charity C.A.L.M. (Campaign Against Living Miserably), aimed at raising awareness about the rising levels of young suicide. Each balloon represented a life lost to suicide over the last decade, with the number on each balloon marking the age the person would have been on their next birthday, reported The Mirror.
Reflecting on the powerful display, Cat Deeley shared, “It is incredibly beautiful at the same time. It’s not until you actually look at the numbers on the balloons that you realize how young some of these people were.”
The emotional impact of the display resonated with viewers, many of whom shared their own personal experiences online. One viewer tweeted, “Gosh, it’s very emotional. I lost a family member to suicide and when I was in secondary school I had suicidal thoughts due to bullying.”
Another wrote, “Wow, the #ThisMorning beginning made me have a tear in my eyes. Seeing those balloons and thinking about how young those people were, it’s heartbreaking. Anyone struggling, I hope you can get help.”
Others expressed their support for the need for better mental health services, with one person commenting, “Those balloons really do look so gorgeous and powerful, we need better mental health services.” Another added, “Heartbreaking seeing all those balloons.”
The poignant episode served as a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and the need for support systems for those struggling. This Morning’s tribute left a lasting impression on its audience, shining a light on a critical issue impacting young people across the UK.