This Morning's Ben Shephard addresses I'm A Celebrity rumours as he makes big announcement

Ben Shephard has finally put to rest the swirling whispers that he might be venturing into the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! jungle.

The This Morning favourite raised a few eyebrows and triggered speculation that he was going into the notorious Aussie wilderness when he announced his temporary departure from ITV for an intriguing new venture.

During the show on Friday, Ben disclosed: "I have some news to share. I'm taking a couple of weeks away to go and work on this exciting project for ITV. It's top secret. I'm going to the other side of the world now after the show. I can't say where it is though."

His co-host Cat couldn't resist probing: "Are you going to be eating witchetty grubs? Are you going to see my two mates?" Ben simply replied: "I cannot confirm or deny where in the world I am going. I can't confirm or deny who I'm going to see. On Monday's show when you're here with Alison, I will be able to confirm where I am in the world. See you in a few weeks!"

But on Monday's edition, Ben was ready to unveil the truth behind his globe-trotting escapade. Reporting straight from New Zealand, he told hosts Alison Hammond and Cat Deeley: "I'm not in the jungle! I've gone a bit further south, I'm in New Zealand. We are hosting this brand new show for ITV, which is called The Summit.

"I'm going to be guiding them up there, I'm going to be checking in with them at nights and talking them through what stages of the challenges they're in. Hopefully I'll be there when some of them reach the summit. They're carrying the winnings with them all the way up so what makes it up there is shared with those who actually get there too."

The Summit, hosted by Ben, will feature 14 strangers embarking on a mountain climb in the Alps of New Zealand's southern island, vying for a share of a potential £200,000 cash prize.

Ben revealed: "This series really has got it all; the contestants are going to be tested in every possible way as they try and take on the mountain. They'll need a serious amount of grit, determination and strategy if they want to reach The Summit.

"Most people know much I love exercise and adventure but this is taking it to another level - I'll be donning my mountain gear to check in with them as they battle up the mountain and do their best to combat the demands of the ominous Mountain's Keeper. I can't wait to see how they get on because anyone who reaches The Summit will have seriously earned every penny of the prize fund."

*This Morning airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 10am.