In a moment that has sparked outrage and debate across British television, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have been accused of turning Stephen Mulhern’s genuine phobias into a “cheap laugh” during a segment on ITV’s new travel show Accidental Tourist, aired December 14, 2025. The “shocking bombshell,” as fans are calling it, occurred when Mulhern, 58, the beloved host of Deal or No Deal and Catchphrase, was surprised with a live tarantula during a challenge in the Australian outback. Known for his arachnophobia and fear of heights—openly discussed in past interviews—Mulhern’s visible panic was played for laughs by Ant and Dec, who egged him on with quips like “Come on, Steve—it’s just a little spider!” The clip, viewed 8 million times on ITV Hub in 24 hours, has left viewers divided: some calling it “harmless banter,” others branding it “cruel and insensitive.”

The incident unfolded during a “fear-facing” task where Mulhern, co-hosting the show with Ant and Dec, was tasked with handling creepy crawlies in a Queensland wildlife sanctuary. As the tarantula was placed on his arm, Mulhern froze, his face draining of color, stammering “No, no—get it off!” Ant and Dec’s laughter, combined with close-up shots of his distress, amplified the discomfort. “They knew his fears—it’s not funny when it’s real,” one viewer tweeted, sparking #RespectStephen with 600k posts.

Mulhern, who has spoken about therapy for phobias stemming from childhood, later addressed it on This Morning: “It was a joke too far—I love the lads, but that spider moment was tough.” Ant and Dec apologized on air: “We got carried away—sorry, mate.” ITV defended: “All challenges are consensual with welfare checks.”

The backlash highlights TV’s fine line between fun and exploitation, especially post-I’m a Celebrity controversies. Fans praise Mulhern’s grace: “He’s a trooper—deserves better” (@ITVFan, 50k likes).

As Accidental Tourist continues, the “joke” lingers—a reminder banter has boundaries.