This Morning: Stephen Mulhern addresses his reported romance with Josie Gibson
Stephen Mulhern, the cherished television personality adored for his rapid-fire wit and enchanting magic tricks, has become a fixture in many British homes through his appearances on fan favourites such as Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, Catchphrase, and Britain's Got More Talent.
Having begun his rise to fame fueled by a passion for magic, the 47 year old entertainer captivated audiences during the '90s, initially appearing on the Disney Channel and later joining CITV. Here, he formed a memorable presenting duo with Holly Willoughby on Saturday Showdown.
Stephen's undeniable charm and comedic flair have cemented him as one of Britain's beloved entertainers, even securing him the coveted role of hosting globally-acclaimed shows like ITV's Deal Or No Deal and Saturday Night Takeaway, and more recently he has shone as the co-host of Dancing on Ice, reuniting with Willoughby.
Renowned for keeping details of his personal life under wraps, Stephen's love life has nevertheless captured public attention.
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Romance rumours
Recent speculations sent the grapevine into overdrive after Stephen was spotted hand-in-hand with This Morning's star Josie Gibson in London, sparking rumours of a romance.
Despite the whirlwind of gossip regarding their supposed amour, Josie put an end to the speculation in a statement to MailOnline: "I'm in love with Stephen Mulhern. There you go. But, story of my life, I don't think he loves me."
Reflecting on his private affairs back in 2018, Stephen divulged to Celebs Now that romance had not been on his radar for some time, confessing: "Last time I went on a date was about four years ago. That makes me sound really sad! I need a life. I need to stop working so much."
Stephen also dismissed the notion of finding love online, with a clear-cut attitude towards digital dating.
During the same conversation with Celebs Now, he emphatically rejected the idea of internet romance: "No way! One of my best mates met a girl online. But I think it's a bit weird someone from the TV doing online dating. I think it'd be bizarre."
Back in 2008, there was buzz around Stephen potentially dating EastEnders star Emma Barton after their joint performance in Birmingham's pantomime hit Snow White.
They were the subject of rumours for almost three years, yet both Stephen and Emma never publicly acknowledged any romantic ties. Breaking the silence on their past connection, Stephen mused on its conclusion as something that had run its natural course, while still not admitting to any formal relationship with Barton.
On-screen kiss
In an unforgettable blast from the past, a kiss shared by Stephen and Holly Willoughby during their stint on Holly and Stephen's Saturday Showdown, formerly Ministry of Mayhem, was brought back into the spotlight last year through social media.
A nostalgic comment from Stephen accompanied the rediscovered clip, where he presents Holly with a present: "Here's the deal, if you open it you must wear it for the whole show."
She gleefully accepted the whimsical pact and unveiled a festive green Christmas hat trimmed with mistletoe. An overjoyed Holly exclaimed: "Hurray for me! I can kiss all of the boys in the world all of the time."
Harmonising with festivity, she sang out: "Tis the season to kiss Holly fa la la la la" to the familiar tune of Deck the Halls, but quickly objected when her co-presenter gave her a quick peck, asserting: "No! Stephen, you don't count!"
Pretending to be offended, he shot back: "What do you mean I don't count? Whoever you are under the mistletoe with you must kiss," before giving her another kiss and joyously proclaiming: "Happy Christmas."
Net worth
After achieving such heights on television, Stephen has channelled his earnings into a series of opulent properties throughout Britain. His extensive property portfolio includes residences in Benfleet Essex, Leicester, and Barnet.
In 2019, fans caught a glimpse inside his plush London home, which features an expansive, open-plan layout. During a virtual tour, Stephen revealed his living room's traditional decor complete with cosy brown leather couches.
The house's entertainment space further boasts a massive flat-screen TV and stylish yet homely leather armchairs. The luxury extends into his kitchen, highlighted by an impressive marble island and surrounded by upscale chairs.
Given his longstanding and prosperous career, it should hardly shock anyone that this household name's net worth now runs into the millions.
Following his successful hosting roles on shows such as Get Your Act Together, Go For It, The National Lottery Draws, In For A Penny, Deal or No Deal and Dancing On Ice, it appears his earnings have seen a significant increase.
In December, it was revealed that Stephen's income for the previous year was an impressive £800,000, pushing his estimated net worth up to around £5 million. Reports suggest that his assets increased from £4.1 million to £4.91 million in the year ending February 2022.