This Morning star Ben Shephard has spoken candidly about his eldest son Sam heading off to university.
During a segment on Monday's instalment of the Lorraine show, the father-of-two opened up about his son flying the nest and described how it was an emotional moment for himself and his wife Annie.
© Ken McKay/ITV/ShutterstockBen, 49, told TV host Lorraine Kelly: "He actually starts lectures today. So he's had his freshers. It was all very emotional."
Reacting to a snapshot of Sam posing with mum Annie, Ben went on to say: "This was him and Annie, he's in Bristol. She was better than I was to be fair, I was really, really emotional about it.
© Instagram"He Facetimed us this morning at 7.30 asking his mum how he does his washing. She (Annie) was thrilled. She's still needed!"
Ben also documented Sam's milestone on Instagram with a touching photo of Annie walking with her arm wrapped around her eldest son. Annie, who runs an interiors website, looked effortlessly cool in baggy jeans and a check shirt while Sam towered over his mother in a simple white T-shirt, blue jeans and pink trainers.
In his caption, the former GMB host penned: "A life in the week! We hit @officialntas midweek with @catdeeley and our @thismorning gang. One of my best mates' 50th we went to school from 11 yrs old, and we still act like it!
© Instagram"We dropped Sam at Uni - v v emotional (He's having a ball and has barely slept!)."
The star's fans and friends flooded the comments section with supportive messages. Sympathising with Ben's huge family change, one follower wrote: "Best of luck to Sam!!" while a second noted: "Dropped my twins off this weekend to two separate unis! Emotional times all round," and a third added: "What an emotional time!"
© InstagramAside from Sam, Ben and Annie are also doting parents to son, Jack, 16.
The loved-up couple wed in March 2004 on a private island off the coast of Devon. They met at university and embarked on a whirlwind romance shortly after.
© Getty ImagesDiscussing their budding romance, Ben told White Wine Question Time host Kate Thornton: "We met at university – so you knew Annie when I just got into the telly – and I was sort of a mere puppy when it came to the world of broadcasting media."
He continued: "She has been through all of this with me – the highs and lows of all that experience. And she is still here, somehow is still putting up with me which to this day, I can’t quite believe that I am extraordinarily lucky."
