Stephen Mulhern breaks silence on how LIFE after being sacked from ITV made him cry

Stephen Mulhern has suddenly been replaced as the host of an ITV programme in the midst of his father’s death.

The presenter, 47, began his career at CITV, going on to front Britain’s Got More Talent, Catchphrase, Deal or No Deal and Dancing on Ice.

Although he’d been set to host The Big Soap Quiz again this year, Stephen, who has kept his personal life private over the years, had to pull out due to the recent death of his dad.

His father Christopher’s death was revealed this week after it was reported the presenter had collapsed while out for dinner and was taken to hospital, the latest struggle in a series of health issues Stephen has faced.

Interest also grew in the Dancing On Ice presenter’s love life this year after he was spotted holding hands with his ITV co-star Josie Gibson, 38, while filming Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.

This Morning star Josie, who is good friends with Stephen, 47, later told the Mail Online: ‘I’m in love with Stephen Mulhern. There you go. But story of my life, I don’t think he loves me.’

The presenter had to exit the show because of the death of his father (Picture: ITV)
She later set the record straight over the rumoured dalliance, while Stephen spoke further about the situation on This Morning on Tuesday May 7, stating: ‘Listen she didn’t turn up to rehearsals and I held her hand and I showed her where to stand. That is it.’

He is currently thought to be single and his last known relationship ended more than a decade ago.

Here is everything you need to know about the Catchphrase host’s relationship status, exes, health issues, and family.

Who is Stephen Mulhern dating?

Stephen keeps his romantic life incredibly private, so it is unknown whether or not he is currently single or in a relationship.

Stephen is notoriously private about his love life (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
The  TV star has previously spoken about one of his relationships publicly, which was with soap star Emma Barton.

Stephen met Emma, who is best known for portraying Honey Mitchell in EastEnders, in 2008 after they met starring in a pantomime performance of Snow White.

The pair began dating in the same year before calling time on their relationship in 2011.

Asked by numerous publications why they had split, Stephen would only reply by saying that the relationship ‘came to a natural end.’

Stephen previously dated Emma Barton (Picture: Ian West/PA Wire)

Since their split, Emma has gone on to date musician Jason Perry who is best known as the vocalist for alternative rock band A.

In 2022, Stephen was reported as saying that he hadn’t been on a date in four years.

He told Celebs Now, via Entertainment Daily: ‘Last time I went on a date was about four years ago.

‘That makes me sound really sad! I need a life.’

He then admitted that he ‘needed to stop working so much’.

Who are Stephen Mulhern’s parents?

Stephen was born in 1977 in Stratford, London, to market traders Christopher and Maureen Mulhern.

Stephen and Holly reunited in his new role on Dancing On Ice(Picture: Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock)
He has previously credited his love of performing to his parents, as his family frequented Butlin’s Minehead in Somerset when he was a child where he first began performing in public.

He is one of four children, including brothers Christopher and Vinny as well as his sister Susie.

Speaking to The Mirror in 2020, Stephen said of his parents: ‘I don’t mean to sound soppy, but they worked so incredibly hard to bring up me and my two brothers and sister.’

Why was Stephen Mulhern taken to hospital?

Earlier this week, an ambulance was called by concerned staff when Stephen collapsed while dining at Pizza Express.

After he fell unwell and he was taken by paramedics to nearby Frimley Park hospital in Camberley, Surrey on Wednesday at 8pm.

A statement to Metro read: ‘Stephen has had an incredibly tough time over the past few weeks. His beloved father recently passed away which has hit him hard and has been understandably very stressful.

‘In addition he had a procedure which took place yesterday (Wednesday). Following the anaesthetic that was administered, he had a few drinks which made him unwell and he was taken in to hospital as a precaution.

Stephen recently lost his father Christopher Mulhern (right) (Picture: James D. Morgan/Getty Images)
‘He is now back home recovering.’

A source further told The Sun: ‘He took himself off for a quiet, solo dinner that evening, had a few drinks and just reacted incredibly badly. He’s only human, and his dad’s death has hit him hard.’

While it’s not clear what condition necessitated Stephen getting a procedure, his health issues began in 2022 when he underwent a hospital procedure and remained away from any work duties for a time.

He told fans at the time: ‘Hello all, Sorry I’ve been quiet on here recently and thank you for all your lovely messages. I’ve had some time off and been resting up on doctors orders.

‘I’m on the mend, I’m happy to say, and looking forward to getting back to work soon. In the meantime, I’ll put my feet up and watch Saturday Night Takeaway tonight with the rest of you lot.’ This article was originally published on April 16, 2024.