Stephen Mulhern ‘buzzing’ for new TV role after worrying health scare

After a quiet few years, Stephen Mulhern is returning to ITV (Picture: Getty Images) Stephen Mulhern is set to return to television following a health scare which resulted in his collapse at a pizza restaurant. The magician, comedian and former Britain’s Got Talent host, 49, was hospitalised in 2024 after being taken ill at Pizza Express Sunningdale, Berkshire. Stephen had been enjoying a drink with his meal – which reacted to the anaesthetic in his system from an operation earlier that day. At this time, he was also grieving the loss of his father, Christopher, who had not long died at the age of 76. After a low-key few years, Stephen has now scored his next big TV role with a guest slot on the I’m A Celebrity spin-off Unpacked. Get personalised updates on I'm A Celeb Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. It’s a gig he’s said to be ‘buzzing’ for. Stephen suffered a health scare in 2024 (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock) Stephen is set to reunite with Saturday Night Takeaway pals Ant and Dec (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock) A source told The Sun: ‘Stephen is buzzing to be taking part in the show for the first time. He can’t wait to hang out with Ant and Dec Down Under.’ According to the tabloid’s insider, producers are also hoping to get him to do a Bushtucker Trial for the show’s socials. They added: ‘Stephen was a big part of Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and, since that’s been off air, they’ve missed working with him. ‘Ant and Dec are very loyal and always like to celebrate talent and be loyal to their friends.’ Stephen served as a guest presenter on Saturday Night Takeaway from 2016 until its hiatus in 2024, hosting recurring spots such as Ant vs Dec and In For a Penny. He also worked with them on last year’s The Accidental Tourist, in which the Geordie duo subjected the reluctant traveller to a high-pressure bucket list, including extreme acupuncture and raw seafood. Stephen also hosted Dancing On Ice with Holly Willoughby (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock) In 2022, he sparked concern after missing two episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway, sharing afterwards that he’d been ‘resting up on doctor’s orders.’ ‘I was in hospital. Now we’re all right. But it wasn’t good. It was a bit of a worrying time,’ he later told The Sun. Two years later, and following the death of his father, the Dancing On Ice star collapsed after undergoing a medical procedure. His spokesperson revealed at the time that Stephen had been through an ‘incredibly tough time.’ The statement continued: ‘His beloved father recently passed away, which has hit him hard and has been understandably very stressful. In addition, he had a surgical procedure. ‘Following the anaesthetic administered, he had a few drinks which made him unwell, and he was taken to hospital as a precaution.’ Stephen appeared with Ant and Dec on their comedy travel show The Accidental Tourist (Picture: ITV) Stephen will make his I’m A Celebrity debut when Unpacked returns later this month, making a guest appearance alongside former contestant GK Barry. Airing after the main show on ITV, this series will be hosted by Kemi Rodgers and Sam Thompson, following the departure of presenter Joel Dommett. With Kemi and Sam hosting, they’ll be joined by a rolling line-up of famous faces, with guests expected to spend five days on the show over its three-week run. A source told The Sun: ‘The crew are so excited that Stephen will be taking part in the show for the first time; he’s great mates with Ant and Dec, so there is likely to be some crossover. ‘If it goes well, there are hopes that he could also appear as a contestant one day.’ As for those joining the I’m A Celeb camp this year, the rumoured big names include Wayne Rooney, comedian Leigh Francis, Gavin and Stacey’s Joanna Page, TV presenter AJ Odudu and Kasier Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson. I’m A Celebrity: Unpacked was hosted by comedian Joel Dommett for two series (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock) Stephen previously joked that it would cost ITV £3million for him to compete on I’m A Celebrity. ‘I’ve never been asked on the jungle, but they know what I’m like, and I don’t know if you’re aware, but in terms of eating I’ve got a very, very plain palate and the thought of putting stuff in my mouth… I don’t know if I could do it,’ he told The Mirror in 2021. ‘I think that show is the only thing that could break me, because the idea of doing the stunts and the heights and the jumping out of a plane, that would have to be top dollar to even consider it.’ He added: ‘How much are we talking for me to do it? I can’t believe we are talking about this, but how about £3million and I’ll do it?! Alright, if you can get half that, I’m in!’ I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! returns to ITV and ITVX on Monday, November 16, 2026. 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