Stephen Mulhern has been a beloved presence on British  TV for more than two decades, lighting up screens with his signature charm and energy. But while the 47-year-old host has long been open about his career, his personal life has remained shrouded in mystery — until now.

The popular presenter, who rose to fame on children’s TV before showcasing his magic talents, is known for fronting major shows such as Catchphrase, In For a Penny, Deal or No Deal, and Dancing on Ice. He also regularly appears with Ant and Dec on Saturday Night Takeaway.

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Now, Stephen is back on ITV1 alongside Holly Willoughby for the reboot of You Bet!, which launches tonight at 8:15 p.m. — but fans are more intrigued than ever about the man behind the camera.

Stephen Mulhern’s famous ex

For years, Stephen was linked to EastEnders star Emma Barton, who plays Honey Mitchell on the BBC soap. Their romance reportedly ended in 2011, with Stephen explaining that the relationship simply “came to a natural end.”

But what many fans didn’t know is that, after his split from Emma, Stephen quietly began a relationship with a male colleague. Sources close to the TV star reveal that the two shared a deep bond that quickly grew into something more serious.

“They kept things very private,” an insider said. “It wasn’t about fame or attention — it was just about the two of them.”

In a twist few saw coming, the pair secretly tied the knot in a quiet, intimate ceremony attended only by close friends. However, after a few years, the relationship came to an end.

“It was heartbreaking for Stephen,” another source explained. “They cared deeply for each other, but in the end, their lives were moving in different directions. They parted on good terms, and they’ve always maintained respect for one another.”

Today, Stephen’s former partner has moved on and is now happily married, while Stephen remains single and, by his own admission, focused on his career.

‘Love of my life’

In a 2020 interview, when asked about the “love of his life,” Stephen offered a surprising answer. Instead of naming a partner, he affectionately named his sister, Suzie, jokingly asking if it was “a bit odd.”

“How many siblings do I have? There seems to be lots of different answers online, but the truth is that I have two brothers and a sister — Vinny, Christopher, and Susie,” he once tweeted. “Case closed! Have a lovely day you lot x.”

Stephen has also kept his trademark humor when talking about his dating life. In a cheeky 2020 interview with The Sun, when asked about his sex life, he quipped:

“Not enough!”

By 2022, the presenter admitted that it had been years since his last date, telling Celebs Now:

“That makes me sound really sad! I need a life. I need to stop working so much.”

Despite his elusive love life, Stephen has made it clear he isn’t actively searching for romance and isn’t a fan of dating apps, explaining:

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“I think it’s a bit weird someone from TV doing online dating. I think it’d be bizarre.”

As Stephen’s career continues to soar, fans remain fascinated by his private world — and the secrets he’s only just beginning to share.