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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Katherine Heslop

Stephen Mulhern's whirlwind romance with EastEnders star and Holly Willoughby kiss

Over two decades, Stephen Mulhern has become an instantly recognisable face on family friendly TV and mind puzzling game shows.

The new Deal or no Deal host, 46, returns this Saturday for ITV show In for a Penny, now in its fifth season, setting members of the public unusual challenges.

Despite being a TV staple, not much known about Stephen's private life, with the former CITV presenter keeping his romantic life away from the spotlight.

The new Deal or No Deal presenter has even admitted he likes to keep "myself to myself", perhaps following in the footsteps of showbiz pals Ant & Dec, who are famously quiet about their family lives.

Stephen Mulhern with showbiz friends Ant & Dec on Saturday Night Takeaway (Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock)

The star's Instagram offers few insights into his home life, as it is mostly full of hilarious videos or work related clips.

In an interview in 2019 Stephen said he would "never do a reality show", adding: "I would never do Dancing On Ice or I'm A Celebrity … because I do like to keep myself to myself."

On rare occasions Stephen has spoken about his love life, admitting in 2018 that his busy career gets in the way of finding love.

Stephen's former partners include EastEnders star Emma Barton, 45, known for playing Honey Mitchell on the soap.

Stephen, who hosts In For A Penny, had a romance with Emma Barton (Shared Content Unit)
Emma is known for playing Honey Mitchell (BBC/Kieron McCarron)

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.

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".

Emma also keeps her romantic life away from the cameras, although earlier this year it was reported she's dating alternative rock singer Jason Perry who is a member of ‘90s band ‘A’.

Stephen shared a kiss with good friend Holly Willoughby, when they presented Saturday Showdown on CITV together.

While hosting a festive special of Saturday Showdown together, Stephen gave Holly a present with a green elf hat and some mistletoe inside.

"Hurray for me! I can kiss all of the boys in the world all of the time," she rejoiced before singing: "Tis the season to kiss Holly, fa la la la la la la la la!"

However, when Stephen leaned in for a kiss on the lips she told him: "No! Stephen, you don't count!"

Stephen replied: "What do you mean, I don't count? Whoever you are under the mistletoe with you must kiss".

After giving her another Christmas kiss, Holly exclaimed: "Don't wear my lips out, I am going to be kissing Anthony from Blue soon..."

As Stephen went on to kiss her another three times over the course of the show, Holly took the hat off and said to Stephen: "You are definitely on the naughty list!"

Stephen rarely gives insights into his private life (stephenmulhern/Instagram)
Saying he likes to 'keep myself to myself' (Getty Images)

The magician told Celebs Now in 2018: "Last time I went on a date was about four years ago.

He jokingly added: "That makes me sound really sad! I need a life. I need to stop working so much."

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