Overview
- The ITV finale on Feb. 14 revealed Shephard as Conkers in second place, with Keisha Buchanan winning as Moth and Mica Paris third as Toastie.
- Shephard says he hid his involvement by serving as a guest panellist feigning ignorance and by interviewing unmasked contestants on This Morning without revealing he was still competing.
- He admits he “felt awful” deceiving Davina McCall during that guest slot, crediting producer Liz Holmwood with the idea and noting the cast was split to protect secrecy.
- Cat Deeley was among the few told in advance and “burst into tears” on first seeing Conkers, while Joel Dommett’s toddler Wilde and, later, Shephard’s sons Sam and Jack also knew.
- Calling the experience “traumatic,” he described sleepless rehearsals, posted an apology for “destroyed” songs — including JLS’s — and observers noted the panel failed to guess his identity.