Stephen Mulhern is set to make his return to television with a guest slot on the I'm A Celebrity spin-off Unpacked, following a health scare that saw him hospitalised in 2024. The 49-year-old magician, comedian and former Britain's Got Talent host collapsed after being taken ill at Pizza Express in Sunningdale, Berkshire.
At the time, Mulhern had been enjoying a drink with his meal, which reacted with the anaesthetic in his system from an operation earlier that day. He was also grieving the loss of his father, Christopher, who had died at the age of 76.
New role on Unpacked
After a low-key few years, Mulhern has now secured his next big TV role with a guest appearance on Unpacked. It is a gig he is said to be 'buzzing' for, according to a source who 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.'
The tabloid's insider added that producers are hoping to get him to do a Bushtucker Trial for the show's socials. They continued: '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.'
Previous health struggles
Mulhern served as a guest presenter on Saturday Night Takeaway from 2016 until its hiatus in 2024, hosting recurring segments such as Ant vs Dec and In For a Penny. He also worked with the Geordie duo on last year's The Accidental Tourist, in which they subjected the reluctant traveller to a high-pressure bucket list, including extreme acupuncture and raw seafood.
In 2022, he sparked concern after missing two episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway, later sharing that he had been 'resting up on doctor's orders.' He told The Sun: 'I was in hospital. Now we're all right. But it wasn't good. It was a bit of a worrying time.'
Two years later, 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.'
I'm A Celebrity debut details
Mulhern 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 will 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 Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson.
Mulhern previously joked that it would cost ITV £3million for him to compete on I'm A Celebrity. He told The Mirror in 2021: '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. 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.
