ONSCREEN Stephen Mulhern is known to millions as the court jester of ITV, entertaining the British public for more than three decades.
But despite his big profile, very little is known about his private life away from the studio.
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Earlier this week he was photographed holding hands with ITV co-star Josie Gibson and rumours began to swirl that he was going public with his new romance.
Indeed Josie appeared to confirm the story when she told Mail online: “I am in love with Stephen Mulhern, there you go.”
But then she seemed to suggest that the relationship was platonic when she added: “But story of my life, I don’t think he loves me,”
Mulhern who started out in television as a child magician, hasn’t publicly been in a relationship since he was dating EastEnders star Emma Barton in 2008, but the pair called time on their union in 2011.
He once confessed that his hectic TV schedule makes it difficult for him to find love, admitting that he hadn’t been on a date in four years.
He said: “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.” Admitting his best friend met a girl online, it doesn’t look like fans will find Stephen swiping right.
But he also hinted that being famous can be lonely at times.
He said: “I think it’s a bit weird someone from the TV doing online dating. I think it’d be bizarre.”
The son of East London market traders, Stephen learned magic tricks from his father and became the youngest member of The Magic Circle.
Soon he was performing on TV talent shows landing his big break when he appeared on the Royal Variety Show in 1997.
After that he was scouted to appear in children’s TV where he met lifelong friends including Ant and Dec and Holly Willoughby respectively.
Perhaps coincidentally, or not so much, they all live within walking distance of each other in West London’s leafy Chiswick, with Holly just down the road in Barnes.
They all see each other socially and are genuinely very friendly.
So while Stephen’s love life remains a mystery, at least he has the support of a good group of friends, as he says in his own words:
“Our friendship off-screen is just as wonderful as on-screen.
“We support each other, we’re there for each other.”
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