Holly Willoughby is poised for a dramatic return to our TV screens, following her departure from This Morning in October 2023, as she’s set to host Strictly Come Dancing
Holly Willoughby is tipped to host Strictly Come Dancing(Image: PA)
Mr Fincham, who since managed ITV between 2008 and 2016, said: “My hairdresser also cuts the hair of a well-known channel controller. What’s said in Harry’s the hairdresser stays in Harry’s. But he says with great confidence that Holly Willoughby will take over.”
The insider spoke to Richard Eden, a journalist with the Daily Mail, who wrote Holly is likely to present Strictly from the start of the next series in 2026. Tess and Claudia will depart at the end of the current series, from which actress and model Ellie Goldstein was eliminated on Saturday.
The experienced presenter was dropped by his talent agency YMU after the affair, which was not illegal, and he also stepped down from ITV completely – meaning he did not host the British Soap Awards in the following days.
The presenter is currently impressing millions with his playful charisma on The Celebrity Traitors, on which he has reached the final five. A source had said: “He’s an old-fashioned showbiz pro who would be just perfect hosting Strictly. If he does manage to win Traitors it will be a sign to the BBC that he has the star quality to present its flagship show.”
It’s the end of the Strictly road for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who announced they’ve quit the BBC show – but who is set to take over presenting duties?
23:18, 23 Oct 2025Updated 23:19, 23 Oct 2025
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have announced they are both quitting Strictly(Image: PA)
And already bookies have been placing their bets on who will land the lucrative gig after BBC bosses have reportedly vowed that the show must go on after 21 years on air.
Fleur East, who already presents Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two has been given odds of 2/1 – and as that’s how Claudia went on to get the main gig when she took over presenting duties from the late, great Bruce Forsyth, it would make sense she would be considered for the job.
Her co-presenter Janette Manrara is also in the running with odds of 3/1. While former It Takes Two presenter Rylan Clark and TV and radio host Roman Kemp are next in line. Zoe Ball, Holly Willoughby and Hannah Waddingham are more big names being put in the frame.
Former celebrity contestants, such as documentary maker Stacey Dooley, ex-England footballer turned pundit Alex Scott, This Morning host Alison Hammond and ex-eastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis have also been put in the running, according to odds from Gambling.com.
While he’s not mentioned in the odds just yet, Robbie Williams appears to have thrown his hat in the ring for the top job.
The 51-year-old Let Me Entertain You singer took to X to tell his 2.3 million followers: “Just got a rather fancy phone call about a very glittery dance floor job. Apparently, sequins and tuxedos might be in my future. Stay tuned,” followed by a wink face emoji.
A source told The Sun: “At this stage it’s all to play for and there isn’t any kind of heir apparent – though there are some obvious stars who’d be possibilities.
“What is more certain is the fact that execs are expected to opt for two more women, because the Beeb value the symbolism of an all-female presenting team on their biggest Saturday night show.
“But one element likely to play a big part is diversity because, as terrific as it is having two women hosting Strictly, they are also two middle-aged white people. This was a show created 21 years ago and now has to consider what it should look and feel like from 2026 onwards.”
The announcement has come at a good time for Claudia, who is one of TV’s most in demand presenters at the moment. She is currently enjoying huge success with BBC game show The Traitors and its celebrity version, which is airing at the moment.
She’s also landed another series of Channel 4 talent show The Piano. Both shows are said to be perfect for Claudia as “it’s lucrative and fun gig… but it also doesn’t eat into her life too much.”
With both shows only taking a few weeks to film, it will free up more time to spend with her family, including her husband Kris Thykier and their three kids. This is in comparison to Strictly, which “basically takes over her life for four months at a time”.
Tess and Claudia’s last show will be when the final of the current series airs on Saturday, December 20. But they will both in a special episode that will be shown on Christmas Day.
It’s been 21 years with 56-year-old Tess at the helm. Her former co-host was the late great Bruce Forsyth, who died in 2017 at the age of 89. Claudia, 53, who formerly presented Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two, stepped in in 2014 and has been Tess’ co-host for the past 11 years.
TV presenter Holly Willoughby is reportedly plotting a bold primetime comeback with husband Dan Baldwin’s backing, aiming to reinvent herself as TV’s next big solo host
22:57, 20 Sep 2025Updated 22:58, 20 Sep 2025
Holly Willoughby plotting to become the next Graham Norton in huge career comeback(Image: 2024 Karwai Tang/Getty)
Holly Willoughby is said to be quietly preparing the next phase of her career, with husband Dan Baldwin stepping in to help steer the plans. After some time away from the spotlight, the couple are said to be putting together a strategy that could mark her biggest return yet.
Sources claim Holly’s aim is nothing less than a primetime slot, with the ambition to rival the likes of Graham Norton and Jonathan Ross. “Anyone who has written Holly off has another thing coming,” an insider revealed.
“She’s never been more determined. The next move is going to be spectacular, and Dan is her secret weapon.”
The former This Morning presenter, 44, who met Baldwin through work back in 2004, has faced a turbulent few years both personally and professionally. Her career slowed after she left daytime TV in 2023, while Baldwin went on to notch up a string of successes, including the reboot of Gladiators.
Holly previously presented This Morning for 11 years alongside Phillip Schofield (Image: ITV)
That difference reportedly caused some tension, but the pair are now firmly aligned, determined to re-establish Holly as one of Britain’s biggest presenters.
“She and Dan both know she has what it takes to go solo in a primetime evening slot, and they plan to make her the biggest female presenter in the UK again. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with,” the source added to The Sun.
Holly has reportedly already been reaching out for advice and is said to have been quietly reconnecting with close friends such as Emma Bunton, Christine Lampard, and former Celebrity Juice co-star Fearne Cotton.
Holly Willoughby previously hosted You Bet! with Stephen(Image: ITV)
She has also recently been pictured alongside a strong circle of showbiz pals including Christine, Myleene Klass, and Spice Girls Nicole and Natalie Appleton.
Her break from television followed a deeply traumatic period. Gavin Plumb, who plotted to abduct and murder her, was later jailed for at least 16 years.
Holly then withdrew from public life to focus on her family – Harry, 16, Belle, 14, and Chester, 10 – and only dipped back into screens with Netflix’s Celebrity Bear Hunt alongside Bear Grylls, which was sadly axed after one season.
Now, with her children older and more independent, she is said to be considering a return on her own terms.
Holly is hoping to rival the likes of Graham Norton in her new career move(Image: BBC/So Television/PA Media/Matt Crossick)
“This isn’t a new thing – Holly has always had ambitions way beyond the This Morning sofa,” the insider explained. “She can see herself being the first big female primetime chat show host – a bit like a female Jonathan Ross. She’s 45 next year and she’s ready to go solo.”
Willoughby has always been most visible as part of a presenting duo, particularly with Phillip Schofield, but her focus now is on standing alone. She wants the top guests, the best slot, and the chance to finally carve out her own space in evening television.
The Mirror has approached Holly’s representatives for comment on this story.
ITV viewers were left less than impressed by the latest You Bet On Tour episode – and promptly called out Oti Mabuse’s victory.
The game show – which is a re-boot of the 80’s series – initially saw Holly Willoughby, 44, teaming up withStephen Mulhernto front it as it arrived on the broadcaster.
6
ITV’s You Bet on Tour viewers claimed a ‘fix’ after Oti Mabuse’s nail-biting raceCredit: X/@stephenmulhern
6
Oti was seen celebrating after she was crowned celebrity champion last nightCredit: ITV
6
The Cool Runnings row team came out on topCredit: ITV
6
Some fans suggested the outcome of Stephen Mulhern’s series was stagedCredit: ITV
It sees ordinary people across the UK take on a host of huge challenges in an attempt to win £5K.
A revolving celebrity panel then place their bets on which team they think will succeed.
On Saturday, Oti Mabuse came out top – yet viewers weren’t convinced.
The drama was started after the final challenge, which saw rowing team Cool Runnings bet that they could complete their 2000 metre challenge quicker than the Olympic Rowers squad.
Strictly champ Oti was pitted against McFly singer Danny Jones and former Olympian Greg Rutherford.
Both Danny and Oti backed red team Cool Runnings – who ultimately came out on top – with the dancer then being crowned the overall celebrity champion of the episode
The outcome sparked an outcry on social media, with one fan posting on X: “Absolute fix #youbet.”
Another wrote: “100% fix.”
One bluntly branded the episode: “Absolutely s**t!!!!!!!!”
First look at Holly Willoughby’s return to You Bet! for new ‘on tour’ series
The presenter is a mainstay on various ITV shows, but how did he become one of Britain’s most well-known faces?
Stephen first gained an interest in magic and tricks from his father who taught him as a kid.
After performing at Butlins, he became the youngest member of the Magic Circle and even made an appearance on Blue Peter in a piece about Harry Houdini.
His career started in Children’s TV when he presenter the show Finger Tips in 2001.
After four years, he launched Tricky TV on CITV in 2005, which he presented until 2010.
During this time, he was handpicked by bosses to front the ITV2 spin-off for Britain’s Got Talent.
Alison Hammond has expressed her ‘relief’ at This Morning’s win at the NTAs last night after Dermot O’Leary said the show has been ‘through the mill’
Alison Hammond is ‘relieved’ at This Morning’s big win (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Alison Hammond has expressed her ‘relief’ at This Morning’s big win at the National Television Awards last night. The presenter, 50, provides cover on ITV’s flagship magazine show alongside Dermot O’Leary on Fridays and phoned into the programme after the big win to tell regular hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard just how grateful she felt that they had emerged victorious from the public vote.
The programme, which has aired on ITV since 1989, won in the Daytime category, having fought off competition from Scam Interceptors, Loose Women and James Martin’s Saturday Kitchen. The show managed to claim the title back after two years of losing out to The Repair Shop and The Chase.
Alison said: “I’m still buzzing from last night, what a brilliant night. It was just lovely. We hadn’t had it for two years running now and what’s so incredible is when our audience vote for us, we know we’re doing okay. It was just such a relief and we’re just so grateful that everyone picked up the phone and voted for us.”
The former Big Brother star has also made a name for herself interviewing A-List celebrity guests on the programme and has chatted to superstars like Britney Spears, Ryan Gosling and once ‘married’ The Rock on the show. But just before hanging up, she teased that she was off to interview Barbie star Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell.
Over the last few years, the show has been through numerous lineup changes following the departure of long-serving hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield. The duo, who began presenting together in 2009, first came under fire when they were alleged to have jumped the queue to file past Queen Elizabeth’s coffin in September 2022.
Then, Phillip, who first appeared on the programme in 2002 and initially presented alongside Fern Britton, admitted to an ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with a younger colleague, and subsequently stepped down from the show and ITV altogether. Holly followed suit soon after security guard Gavin Plumb was charged in connection with a scheme to abduct and kill her.
The programme, which has aired on ITV since 1989, won in the Daytime category, having fought off competition from Scam Interceptors, Loose Women and James Martin’s Saturday Kitchen(Image: Getty Images for the NTA’s)
He was found guilty and last year was sentenced to a minimum of 16 years behind bars.
A litany of hosts like Josie Gibson, Craig Doyle, Rochelle Humes and Andi Peters took their place over a period of weeks before Cat and Ben were given the top jobs.
But speaking in the winners room after their victory, former X Factor host Dermot, 52, acknowledged that the show had been ‘through the mill’ over the last few years, reports Manchester Evening News.
He said: “There’s a team that have worked on the show since I’ve started who have had to endure an awful lot of s**t.
The former Big Brother star admitted she was ‘still buzzing’ at the win(Image: Getty Images for the NTA’s)
“And they have turned up to work every day with the greatest grace and professionalism and uncertainty, and they’ve never done anything but put their hearts and souls into this job.
“Two and a half hours of live telly every day is quite something, but to endure it under the spotlight of being on the front page of the news. This show holds a mirror up to Britain and it also tries to entertain.”
He also noted that the team was thrilled to win, as he added: “There’s never an arrogance about this. We’re genuinely humbled by it. It means an awful lot, especially for those people who have been through the mill.”
Holly Willoughbymarried TV exec Daniel “Dan” Baldwin in Amberley, West Sussex in 2007 and the couple, who have three children together, have recently moved house
00:22, 09 Sep 2025Updated 02:01, 09 Sep 2025
Holly Willoughby has been married to Dan Baldwin for 18 years(Image: Getty Images Europe)
TV power couple Holly Willoughby and husband Dan Baldwin have moved into “an amazing” mansion, it is reported.
Holly, 44, recently bought the “an insanely beautiful forever home” with her 50-year-old partner whose media company, it is said, struck a deal with America’s National Football League (NFL), Channel 5 (which now wants to be known as 5) and US media giant Paramount to bring live coverage of American football to UK viewers.
As the consortium has even bagged the rights to broadcast the Super Bowl in this country, it is thought Dan and Holly have been eager to explore opportunities to relocate. It is understood they’ve now snapped up a six-bedroom mansion, said to be worth millions of pounds.
A source who knows the couple, who married in 2007, said: “Together, Dan and Holly make a smashing pairing. They have the whole industry covered between them.”
The TV power couple have recently moved home(Image: @hollywilloughby/Instagram)
The Super Bowl is the most-watched annual sporting event in America and the second most popular around the world after the FIFA World Cup – with nearly 200million people worldwide tuning in each year.
And so television sources suggest the deal could be worth “well over £2million” for Baldwin and his consortium. The new American football show, which started last week, is presented by one of Dan’s best friends, Dermot O’Leary, 52, along with former NFL player Osi Umenyiora, 43, and hockey player-turned-sports-presenter Sam Quek, 36.
Presenters: Dermot O’Leary, Sam Quek & Osi Umenyiora can’t wait to get started with new NFL show
An industry insider told Mail Online: “It is the deal of the year. Dan pulled it off. It’s lovely, actually, as it means the pressure is off Holly to wait for the right job to come up… She has been to hell and back in the past two years. It has been awful for her.”
They referred to Holly’s ordeal at the hands of former security guard Gavin Plumb, who planned to kidnap and murder the star. He was jailed for life in July last year for the sinister plot, which a court was told was “life-changing for the victim.. both in private and personal terms”.
This came after Holly’s This Morning career ended abruptly in 2023 after a distressing fallout with her best friend Phillip Schofield over his brother Timothy’s sex offences trial. These episodes “knocked the wind out of Holly,” a source told Mail Online.
But Dan’s recent success has reportedly brought new vigour into both Holly and Dan’s lives, as mum-of-three Holly now has “some time to decompress”. The star, originally from Brighton, East Sussex, did co-host You Bet! last year with pal Stephen Mulhern, a revival of the game show after 27 years. The programme, though, was largely panned by viewers and critics.
Presenting powerhouse Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly have reportedly landed a huge £30 million golden handcuffs deal with ITV which will keep them at the network for three years
Ant and Dec land ‘£30million golden handcuffs deal with ITV’(Image: Getty Images)
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have reportedly landed a £30 million golden handcuffs deal with ITV after the channel lost This Morning’s Holly Willoughby. The presenting duo, who have won endless awards over the years for their work, are said to be in talks on a three-year agreement for their shows.
The huge deal would see them continue hosting I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Britain’s Got Talent, and Limitless Win. An insider claimed the deal with Ant and Dec is a “worthwhile investment” for ITV as they’re widely loved by the public and host “some of the channel’s most successful shows”.
With their 50th birthdays coming up soon, the duo have “double the reason to celebrate”.
Ant and Dec are reportedly wrapping up talks for a £30m deal(Image: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publis)
Speaking to The Sun, a source claimed: “From the ITV execs’ point of view, it also ensures that there aren’t any counter-bids from the streaming giants who are increasingly moving into the light entertainment arena.”
The Mirror have reached out to ITV for comment. It comes after it was reported ITV has been in talks to extend fan-favourite series, I’m A Celeb, until at least 2030.
A TV source recently claimed the broadcaster has plans to secure the series’ Australian jungle location for another five years and if successful, the deal would take the hit reality show up to its landmark 30th series.
The duo host some of ITV’s biggest shows
The discussions would mark a shift in strategy for ITV, which has previously only signed three-year agreements to use the Murwillumbah site in New South Wales.
Negotiations are now reportedly underway with Australian authorities and the Tweed Shire Council, which must approve any extended filming permits.
A source said to The Sun: “The production team are planning five years in advance, which is a long-term approach they haven’t adopted before. But this is not a done deal with the local authorities, and the negotiations have just started to secure the site.
“They’re not taking anything for granted but are hopeful all parties involved will be able to reach some kind of agreement.”
A spokesperson for Tweed Shire Council confirmed talks are ongoing. She revealed: “They will need to seek permission again – we can’t give open-ended filming permissions to anyone.:
I’m A Celeb, which was won by Danny Jones last year, drew in an average audience of 9.1 million in the previous series, making it 2024’s most-watched entertainment programme.
Vanessa Feltz quit This Morning in March this year after 33 years to launch her own rival show on Channel 5
12:09, 26 Aug 2025Updated 12:09, 26 Aug 2025
(Image: CHANNEL 5)
Vanessa Feltz has had the last laugh after quitting This Morning. Her Channel 5 lunchtime show has been extended by bosses. While her former colleagues at ITV are facing brutal spending cuts with the budget for shows and staff, Vanessa has been granted more time on air.
The talk show Vanessa was originally planned to air for “six months”, but now the TV presenter has confirmed the programme will run for “eight months at least”.
Vanessa, 63, told the new issue of Woman’s Own magazine: “We’ve just had an extension.
“We were commissioned for six months, but we’re running about eight months at least, there’ll be a Christmas break, and then we’re very much hoping to come back in the new year. We’re thrilled.”
The show – which sees Vanessa have straight-talking discussions on relationships, parenting, gossip, fashion, and other topics with celebrity guests – launched in March.
However, one show that month only raked in 83,000 viewers – a big contrast to rival, ITV’s Loose Women, which drew in 686,000 people.
Vanessa Feltz has shared her delight in having her Channel 5 show extended (Image: Channel 5)
And it has been reported that bosses at Channel 5 were thinking of ways to “revamp” Vanessa to attract more viewers.
A TV Insider claimed to the magazine: “Bosses have been locked in crisis talks and have been planning ways to immediately revamp the programme if there is to be a chance that it could be saved.”
The show also raised attention when it became the centre of an Ofcom storm after guest Karen Millen said that feeding children past six months breast milk was ‘weird‘ and selfish.’ The designer’s comments led to more than 2000 people complaining with Millen apologising for her comments.
However, Vanessa is proving popular as the show took home the prestigious Talk Show gong at the National Reality TV Awards on July 30 – beating the likes of BBC’s The Graham Norton Show and ITV’s The Jonathan Ross Show.
Reacting to the award, Vanessa told London Beautiful Life Media: “I’m beside myself!”
Ben Shepherd, Cat Deeley, Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary pose up ahead of This Morning’s core presenting team returning from their summer break(Image: ITV)
Asked if she expected to win, the TV star continued: “Definitely not – you must be joking! The show’s only been going since the last week of March, it’s only July!
“And we’re up against all the greats – Graham Norton, Jonathan Ross, Alan Titchmarsh, absolutely everybody! So I was not. I was thinking – I had this knot in my stomach of nerves, and I was trying to give myself a sharp talking to like, ‘Don’t be silly, absolutely don’t stand a chance, the show’s brand-new, we’re never going to,’ and then here it is, we did!
“So, it’s one of those extraordinary moments. I’m shaking, and I’m thrilled to bits, and it’s lovely for the team, and it’s lovely for me, and it’s lovely for the audience. And I’m just delighted.”
Vanessa quit This Morning after 33 years in March this year.
Vanessa told the Daily Star newspaper: “I’ve been on ‘ This Morning ‘ since 1992. It’s been a long time . But I’m now doing my own show and I can’t do both.”
As she made her announcement, Vanessa praised the presenters and crew on This Morning for being “so lovely” about her decision.
She added: “When I told everyone I wouldn’t be able to do the show anymore, they were lovely about it. I heard from Alison Hammond and Holly Willoughby immediately and the bosses were charming. I’ll miss working with them all.”
Former This Morning host Holly Willoughby spoke about her experience with dyslexia in the new documentary Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution which aired on Channel 4 last night
Presenter Holly Willoughby has opened up about feeling “different” when she was younger in a new documentary that she has described as “important”. She’s suggested that she ended up “writing herself off” due to a challenging experience.
She’s now further discussed her experience with the learning difficulty at school. Holly opened up in the documentary Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution, which aired on Channel 4 on Monday, with her among the participants in the project.
The one-off special saw chef Jamie Oliver, who has spoken about his own experience with dyslexia, explore the challenges faced by pupils who have dyslexia. It also shows him campaigning for more support for those affected by dyslexia.
Like other participants, including Jamie Laing, Holly makes brief appearances in video messages shown during the documentary. She’s seen talking about her experience, including sharing that she felt “different” when she was at school.
Holly Willoughby spoke about her experience with dyslexia in a documentary that aired last night(Image: Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution/Channel 4)
Opening up about her difficulty with spelling, she said in her first appearance: “I definitely was terrible at spelling.” She continued by sharing with viewers: “I knew that because in spelling tests I’d always get really poor results.”
Holly later said that she was “always” expecting feedback on her homework to include “silly mistakes” being brought to her attention. She said in the documentary: “I always knew that when I’d get my homework back, there would be red pen all over it where there would be ‘silly mistakes’.”
She said: “I felt like I was working really, really hard with not getting much results. So I felt different.” She later added: “The school system is made for a certain type of learning and it’s so hard when you don’t learn like that.”
Holly suggested that it had an impact on her even after she had left school. She said: “When you then write yourself off at school as being ‘non-academic,’ that does shape your future somewhat.”
She featured in Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution, fronted by Jamie Oliver, which aired on Channel 4(Image: Getty Images)
Following the broadcast of Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution, Holly responded to the documentary and a post made about it by Jamie. He had reflected on the reaction to the project in a post on Instagram this morning.
He wrote: “I’ve been completely blown away by the response to Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution. The stories so many of you have shared- about your own journeys, struggles, and strengths – have been powerful, emotional, and deeply moving.
“If you’ve got something to say about dyslexia or neurodiversity -whether it’s your own experience, a frustration, or a big idea -please share it with [Secretary of State for Education] @bridgetphillipsonmp with the hashtag #ComeOnBridget and let her know that change is needed! If you missed it last night on @channel4 hit the link in my bio to catch up #ComeOnBridget.”
Holly later shared the post on her Instagram Story and wrote in her caption: “Well done [Jamie] such an important documentary! Just the beginning of this conversation.”
Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution is available through Channel 4.
Chatting to TV Biz, he said: “I’m gutted she’s not doing You Bet! with me, but I’ve had time to think about it and Bruce Forsyth was the first person to do You Bet! and he did it on his own.
“Matthew Kelly made it the best show on the telly.
You Bet fans complain as iconic show fronted by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern returns with missing feature
“And every time I’ve been interviewed and they say, ‘What show would you bring back?’, I’ve always said ‘You Bet!’.
“So maybe it happened for a reason. We’ve filmed one episode already without Holly, and it felt very comfortable. Maybe it is just a one-presenter show.
“I don’t know what happened. She just said, ‘Look, sorry, I can’t do it’. She told me face to face. She said, ‘Look, I’m gutted but it’s all over’.”
The pair’s other show, Dancing on Ice was shelved earlier this year with no plans for a new series, as revealed by The Sun.
Stephen Mulhern’s career so far
The presenter is a mainstay on various ITV shows, but how did he become one of Britain’s most well-known faces?
Stephen first gained an interest in magic and tricks from his father who taught him as a kid.
After performing at Butlins, he became the youngest member of the Magic Circle and even made an appearance on Blue Peter in a piece about Harry Houdini.
His career started in Children’s TV when he presenter the show Finger Tips in 2001.
After four years, he launched Tricky TV on CITV in 2005, which he presented until 2010.
During this time, he was handpicked by bosses to front the ITV2 spin-off for Britain’s Got Talent.
An ITV Spokesperson said: “Following another successful series earlier this year, Dancing On Ice will be rested in 2026 with no current plans for another series.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the cast and crew who have worked on the show since 2006, and over the previous 17 series, for all of their hard work both on and off the ice.”
Gameshow host on The Accidental Tourist getting emotional, his love for Celebrity Catchphrase and how Holly Willoughby told him she was quitting You Bet!
Ant and Dec think viewers will love seeing self-confessed “unworldly” Stephen getting out and trying new things(Image: WireImage)
Stephen Mulhern says viewers will see a very different side to him in The Accidental Tourist, in which pals Ant and Dec send him on a journey of discovery to Korea. The much-loved gameshow host, whose ITV shows include Celebrity Catchphrase, Deal or No Deal and You Bet!, says he’s very happy to always hide behind his presenter alter ago.
But in the one-off special later this year, the audience will watch the real Stephen properly struggle as he pushes his boundaries by travelling to an unfamiliar country to eat food he doesn’t like with people he doesn’t know.
At the time of filming last year, he had just lost his father, Christopher, and his attempts to become more intrepid left Stephen, 48, feeling incredibly emotional at times. “No one’s ever seen me cry on the telly,” he muses now, admitting that it took nearly three years for him to be persuaded.
“But it was quite nice to not be behind a format, I’ve never done that. You’re going to see behind the razzle-dazzle, if you like. People have thankfully seen me on TV for nearly 25 years, but they may go, ‘Well, what’s he like at home? Is he going out with someone?’ I’m at the very centre of this and it’s scary.
Stephen loves being a gameshow host but has decided to put himself ‘out there’ with a travel show to Korea, with the shots called by Ant and Dec
“They film and they film and they film and they just get everything. I think what you’re going to see is a lot of emotion. You’ll see me totally out of my comfort zone.”
For the programme, designed to help him unleash his inner traveller, Stephen is sent to Asia, a continent he’s never visited because he only ever holidays in Florida. “I like the food and the theme parks,” he laughs. “Only Ant and Dec would choose Korea. Why couldn’t it have been Tokyo? It looks like New York.”
He says the idea to send him out into the world came about because he was so unadventurous and the Geordie pair thought it would be funny to see him learn new things. Already, the show has been compared to An Idiot Abroad, in which Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant sent their pal Karl Pilkington off on daft adventures. “The difference is that I got very emotional because of the timing,” he sighs. “I’m not very worldly. I don’t travel a lot. And my body’s been used to eating plain food.”
Stephen’s dad Christopher died last year, leaving him feeling “very emotional” as he started filming the new travel show(Image: Getty Images)
His reluctance to broaden his horizons has led to teasing from celebrity pals including Emma Willis and Holly Willoughby. “They would call me 50 Shades of Beige because of the food I eat, which is embarrassing really,” he laughs. But when he got back to the UK after filming ended, he found that the exotic diet had played havoc with his insides. “The food was just horrific, we’d try things like octopus, fish penis, something they dug out the very bottom of the sea and like a worm that’s wriggling, but when you squeeze it squirts water,” he shudders. “When I came back I couldn’t eat for two and a half weeks. I literally couldn’t stomach anything – I lost half a stone.”
He nearly quit along the way but managed to stick it out and, once home, his family asked if he’d be prepared to do it again. “The answer is, I don’t know,” he says now, looking faintly terrified at the prospect.
Having got over the experience, he does feel proud of himself, but it’s tinged with regret. “My dad had just passed away,” he says sadly. “So that’s the only thing. I’m gutted that he didn’t see it.”
Fully recovered from the ordeal, Stephen is now on screen with the final two episodes of Celebrity Catchphrase with guests including Mel Blatt, Michelle Visage and Jeremy Vine yet to come.
Stephen doesn’t know why Holly quit You Bet! and said he was “gutted” over her decision so soon after Dancing on Ice ended(Image: ITV)
He’s also making a second run of You Bet! – this time without co-host Holly Willoughby, who pulled out ahead of filming. Stephen says Holly, with whom he also hosted Dancing on Ice until it was axed after the most recent series, told him in person that she didn’t want to continue with the fun challenge show. “I’m gutted she’s not doing it, but I’ve had time to think about it,” he reasons. “Bruce Forsyth was the first person to do You Bet!, and he did it on his own. Matthew Kelly made it the best show on the telly. So maybe it’s happened for the right reasons. We’ve filmed one episode already and it felt very comfortable and it felt good. I think maybe it is just a one presenter show.”
It’s been reported that her Netflix series Celebrity Bear Hunt has been dropped after one run, and he says it’ll be “interesting” to see what she does next. “I don’t know what happened. She just said, ‘Look, sorry, I can’t do it.’ She told me face to face. She said, ‘Look, I’m gutted, but it’s all over.”
For himself, he has a hard time choosing between Catchphrase and Deal or No Deal when it comes to a favourite. On the one hand he’d choose the former, because he’s hosted it for so long – and would love to see a return for the original version featuring everyday people. But he also has a lot of love for the newer show because it was his market trader dad’s favourite and he was filming it while visiting him in hospital towards the end. “We were doing three a day and he would be asking me, ‘What were the winnings today?’ So it’s very, very dear to my heart simply because of that.”
When it comes to choosing between Mr Chips or The Banker, Stephen says the Catchphrase character wins every time(Image: ITV)
As something of a gameshow expert, Stephen believes that simplicity is the key to success. “If you can’t sum up the show in a sentence, it will never work,” he insists. “Catchphrase, say what you see. Play Your Cards Right, high or lower? You Bet, will they or won’t they? Deal Or No Deal, pick the right box. The Price Is Right, guess the prize,” he reels off. The road to failure, he believes, lies with having to think too hard as you play. “Catchphrase is a prime example of that – anyone can play it,” he says. “As I say to the contestants, if you have a good time, I promise you’ll do all right.”
With In For a Penny currently being rested, he’s decided to have a go at creating his own family entertainment show entirely from scratch. “I’m going to film a 20-minute pilot, I’m just going to invest my own money and then pitch it and see if it goes well,” he says. Inspired by the likes of Beadle’s About and Surprise, Surprise, it will involve his two favourite things – magic and practical jokes. “It’s very heartwarming as well,” he explains. “I just think it would be nice to do a show where I get to do a bit of magic and a bit of wind up, which I love doing,” he says. “I think that’s missing from our screens at the moment.”
