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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Louise Lavigueur

Inside Saturday Night Takeaway's Stephen Mulhern romance with EastEnders star

Comedian and magician Stephen Mulhern bounced back from a bout of illness to return to ITV's Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.

And as the spotlight has been shone on the TV stars return fans have taken a closer look at his life away from the small screen.

Stephen, 44, is understood to be single currently - but among his former partners is EastEnders ' star Emma Barton, 42.

The pair reportedly dated from 2008 to 2011 after meeting in a pantomime production of Snow White, with Emma playing Snow White and Stephen played her trusted best friend Muddles. It's understood the pair formed a close bond together shortly after working together.

Stephen Mulhern and Emma Barton dated for three years (Getty Images)
Emma Barton has stared in West End Shows and started dating Stephen after they both appeared in pantomime of Snow White (Getty Images,)

Like many TV couples they chose to keep their relationship out of the limelight and spent three years together before a mutual split in 2011.

The Britain's Got More Talent host revealed at the time the romance had come to a "natural end".

But he’s not ruled out love just yet, as he admitted he was “keen” to find ‘the one’.

Appearing on The One Show 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.”

Stephen admits he works too much and his love life takes a back seat (ITV)

Although he did rule out online dating with a resounding “no way”, saying he thought it would be “a bit weird” and “bizarre” for someone from the TV to find a date online.

Maybe Stephen needs to join the cast of Celebs Go Dating? The hit Channel 4 show sees celebrities go on dates with non-celebrities, and receive advice and feedback from dating expert Anna Williamson and "Love Doctor" Paul C Brunson.

The latest series saw television presenter Ulrika Jonsson, Married at First Sight UK's Nikita Jasmine, The Apprentice's Ryan-Mark Parsons and 5ive's Abz Love.

Fans of Stephen were left concerned after he was forced to pull out of presenting after illness but bounced back to our screens on Saturday (ITV)

Meanwhile his former flame Emma, who was married prior to her relationship with Stephen, is understood to also be single.

The actress - best known for playing Honey Mitchell in the BBC soap - has swapped the Square for the dancefloor as she got all the way to the final in Strictly Come Dancing in 2019.

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