ITV has officially greenlit a new run of its heartfelt travel series, Accidental Tourist, securing its future with a commission for three more specials. The show, which features presenter Stephen Mulhern tackling his deepest fears with the support of his close friends Ant and Dec, will return after its impactful debut series last year.
Emotional Breakthrough Leads to Renewal
The decision to renew the programme follows a profoundly moving one-off special that aired in late 2025. During that episode, Stephen travelled to South Korea, where he was filmed breaking down in tears while reflecting on the recent death of his father, Christopher.
Overcoming significant personal hurdles, including food phobias and a fear of the sea, Stephen opened up about his loss on camera. He emotionally shared, “If I was to tell my dad this, my dad passed away at the start of the year… sorry.” He continued, whispering, “He wouldn’t believe it. I hope… he’d be proud.”
Ant and Dec Return for More Adventures
According to ITV, the upcoming specials will see Stephen once again leave his creature comforts behind, embarking on unknown journeys. The broadcaster revealed that while the South Korea trip had a positive effect, Stephen has begun slipping back into old habits.
“Not wanting to undo the impressive progress he'd already made... Stephen has decided he needs to spread his wings further and who better to help once again than his close pals Ant and Dec,” a statement teased. The new episodes will thrust Stephen into unfamiliar territories, using encouragement from his family and social media to confront life-limiting phobias.
Cast and Crew Express Excitement
Stephen Mulhern expressed his enthusiasm for the new challenges ahead. “The response to my trip to South Korea has been so overwhelming,” he said. He admitted that despite planning a trip to Japan, he booked an all-inclusive holiday to the Algarve instead, prompting him to seek Ant and Dec's help again for “that little loving shove in the right direction.”
Ant McPartlin commented, “We are so proud of Stephen... but we’ve noticed his old ways creeping back in… so when he said he was up for another trip, we were only too happy to oblige.” Declan Donnelly added that they have a “long list of places” for Stephen to experience in his quest to conquer more fears.
ITV executives Sue Murphy, Director of Factual Entertainment, and Kate Teckman, Head of Development, also confirmed their delight at building on the show's success, noting the audience's strong connection to the personal project.
The first series of Accidental Tourist is available to stream on ITVX.
