**Stephen Mulhern Opens Up About Emotional Journey Filming New Travel Show in Wake of Father’s Passing**
Television personality Stephen Mulhern is set to reveal a markedly more vulnerable side of himself in the upcoming ITV special, “The Accidental Tourist”. The experienced presenter, aged 48, has spoken candidly about the deeply emotional circumstances surrounding the filming, which began shortly after the death of his father, Christopher Mulhern, last year.
In a marked shift from his usual charismatic on-screen persona, Mulhern admits audiences will see him genuinely moved to tears – something he says has never previously happened during his 25-year career on television. The one-off programme, scheduled to air in 2025 on ITV1 and streaming service ITVX, follows Mulhern as he’s whisked away to South Korea by his close friends and fellow entertainers, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly.
The premise is both light and challenging: Mulhern faces a series of cultural surprises and culinary tests, many of which push him well outside his comfort zone. For the first time, the trusted presenter of “Catchphrase” is not shielded behind the safety net of a familiar television format. The intention, and indeed the reality, was to capture a more authentic, unpolished version of the host who has become a Saturday night staple in British households.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Mulhern described how the unfiltered filming experience left him feeling exposed: “No one’s ever seen me cry on telly. But this was different. It’s actually quite nice not to be hidden behind a format for once. I think viewers will finally see what I’m really like – not just the bloke who cracks jokes and presents gameshows.”
Intriguingly, the show was reportedly three years in the making, with Mulhern taking some persuading before finally agreeing to take part. He revealed that he felt immense pride in completing the journey, but this sense of accomplishment is bittersweet. The emotional toll of filming so soon after his father’s death was significant, and Mulhern confesses he is “gutted” that his father never got to watch the adventure unfold.
The series inevitably draws comparison to other comedic travelogues like Karl Pilkington’s “An Idiot Abroad,” yet Mulhern’s experience is grounded in personal vulnerability rather than manufactured discomfort. He openly admits to not being a seasoned traveller, recounting that most of his holidays previously had been to Florida. As for food, he describes himself as a “plain eater”, which made sampling delicacies in South Korea a daunting ordeal.
The culinary adventures-turned-challenges became a central theme of Mulhern’s South Korean journey. He vividly recalls attempts to stomach unusual fare, including octopus, fish penis, and mysterious sea creatures. He described one particularly unsettling moment involving a “worm that squirts water when you squeeze it.” The food-related anxiety stuck with him long after the cameras stopped rolling—Mulhern revealed he struggled to eat for over two weeks upon his return to the UK, shedding half a stone in weight as a result.
Despite the hardships, Mulhern holds the experience in high regard, crediting it with taking him to places—both emotional and geographical—he would not have ventured to otherwise. He admits, “The difference is that I got very emotional because of the timing. I don’t travel a lot, I’m not worldly, and this was really outside my norm.”
Ant and Dec, who devised the surprise trip, reportedly thought Mulhern’s lack of globetrotting experience and limited palate would make him the perfect candidate for such an adventure. This, combined with the rawness of Mulhern’s grief, ensured “The Accidental Tourist” would be a travel show with a genuine emotional heart—one that offers viewers a rarely seen, deeply human side of a much-loved presenter.
With its blend of humour, culture shock, and personal reflection, the programme promises to resonate with a wide audience, offering both entertainment and a moving portrait of someone navigating both literal and emotional new territories. As Mulhern’s story unfolds on screen, viewers are likely to find not just laughter, but a poignant exploration of loss, resilience, and the courage it takes to step outside the familiar.