![](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/incoming\/article30991666.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/2_EHP_CHP_210923Ben-Shephard-_85724.jpg\")
<\/p>\nOver the years, Coronation Street has produced a plethora of ridiculous storylines, but Mary's obsession with Ben Shephard might be the most outrageous of them all.<\/p>\n
In an infatuation that has gotten completely out of hand, the quirky character, who arrived on the scene after beating Norris Cole in competitions, has actually planned her own Ben Shephard-themed send-off. And unsurprisingly, the Good Morning Britain panel couldn't help but mock their co-host<\/p>\n
Chuckling away, Richard Arnold explained: "You may recall that you've got quite a fan girl in Corrie's Mary Taylor. It's starting to get a little bit uncomfortable now."<\/p>\n
READ MORE:<\/b>Corrie's Barbara Knox future on soap 'exposed' after saying her 'days are numbered' <\/b><\/p>\n
READ MORE:<\/b>Emmerdale star issues warning to fans as he battles severe allergy in new storyline <\/b><\/p>\n
Richard went on: "It wasn't that long ago that we saw her whip out a blanket with your face glazed all over it as she imagined being wrapped in your strong, manly arms," which he insisted on saying in a strong southern American accent. However, it now appears that Mary, played by Patti Clare, has completely fallen off the deep end, as it turns out that she not only dreams of spending this life with ITV's finest, but the next one too. What would Norris think?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Richard continued: "Her obsession reached new highs earlier this week or lows, depending on which way you look at it, because while discussing funerals, Mary revealed that she quite fancies a Ben Shephard-themed send-off. If you think that's weird on its own, just wait until you hear what type of coffin Mary would like."<\/p>\n
Viewers then watched a clip where the popular character engaged in a conversation about novelty funerals, which show off the "deceased's personality" with George Shuttleworth, played by Benidorm icon, Tony Maudsley. Consequently, he started picking his brain for an idea, eventually suggesting a giant sunflower as her coffin. But Mary had other ideas.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/incoming\/article30991664.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/2_EHP_CHP_210923Ben-Shephard-_85727.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
She popped her finger in her mouth, titled her head and drifted into an almost trance state, before asserting: "Ben Shephard's bed." Her appalled friend replied: "That would have to be custom-made."<\/p>\n
Alas, Mary wasn't listening \u2013 she was simply too far gone. Wrapped up in a fantasy that she's unlikely to ever live out, she stared into the distance longingly, as George watched on with a blend of confusion and worry.<\/p>\n
The whole situation left Arnold and Kate Garraway in utter hysterics, with them taking Mary's idea and running with it. Spotting a gap in the market, they created a custom image of what a Ben Shephard bedroom showroom would like it. <\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/incoming\/article30991662.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/3_EHP_CHP_210923Ben-Shephard-_85726.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
From "Ben's Beds" to "Shephard's Sheets", the pair had devised every pun possible. But they weren't done yet, as Arnold whipped out a Mary-themed blanket, which Ben had supposedly been hiding in his dressing room.<\/p>\n
He confessed: "That's my Mary blanket that I wrap myself in when I'm feeling low and need a little bit of comfort." Seeing the funny side, Ben said: "The lovely Pati Clare plays Mary so brilliantly, it's really flattering."<\/p>\n
Ben added: "It's hilarious when I'm out. I'd been at a school prize-giving for Sam, and my phone went crazy with all these people saying, 'Ben, you're on Coronation Street'. My great aunty Jan is always beside herself as she's a massive Corrie fan."<\/p>\n
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV<\/i><\/p>\n
For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters<\/b> here<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n