Television presenter Stephen Mulhern is currently recovering at home after being taken to hospital due to falling ill while dining at a restaurant.
The 48-year-old, who is about to front a revival of the nostalgic game show You Bet! alongside Holly Willoughby, reportedly collapsed at a Pizza Express in Sunningdale, Berkshire around 8pm. The incident took place on a Wednesday evening in late 2024, according to The Sun.
A spokesperson for the presenter said that Mulhern had undergone a medical procedure involving anaesthetic earlier that day, and consumed a few drinks afterwards, which made him feel unwell. He was taken to hospital as a precaution, but is now home and recovering.
“Stephen has had an incredibly tough time over the past few weeks,” the spokesperson added. “His beloved father recently passed away, which hit him hard and has been understandably very stressful. In addition to that, the effects of the anaesthetic combined with alcohol led to him feeling very unwell.”
Mulhern, also known as a magician and author, has been a staple of British television for more than two decades. He began his career performing magic during family holidays at Butlin’s, before moving into children’s TV, where he co-hosted popular shows like Finger Tips and Holly & Stephen’s Saturday Showdown.
Earlier this year, Mulhern was one of the hosts of ITV’s Dancing on Ice, having taken over in 2024 following the departure of Phillip Schofield in 2023. He co-hosted alongside Holly Willoughby, who later left ITV entirely in October 2023 after stepping back from This Morning.
Just weeks before his hospitalisation, Mulhern appeared at the 2024 Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London, joining other TV personalities and performers in a star-studded night.
You Bet!, the classic Saturday night entertainment show that originally aired between 1988 and 1997, is set to make its return to ITV in mid-2025, with Mulhern and Willoughby bringing a new twist to the format. Reflecting on their experience filming the reboot, Willoughby previously said that she and Mulhern “couldn’t help but play along and compete with each other.”
Despite recent health concerns and personal grief, Mulhern’s team says he is now resting well and looking forward to returning to work soon.
📌 Source: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/
