In For A Penny’s and Deal Or No Deal’s Stephen Mulhern is back on our TV screens as Holly Willoughby’s new Dancing On Ice co-host

Stephen Mulhern

He’s already the face of In For A Penny and Deal Or No Deal and now Stephen Mulhern has been appointed as co-host of ITV’s prime-time Sunday night entertainment show Dancing On Ice alongside Holly Willoughby.

Stephen takes over from Phillip Schofield who left ITV and hosting duties for the likes of DOI and This Morning in May 2023 after he admitted to an affair with a much younger colleague.

Stephen’s Dancing On Ice role comes just months after he made his debut as the new presenter of ITV’s revival of the Noel Edmonds game show Deal Or No Deal.

But who is Stephen’s soap star ex-girlfriend, what are his other TV roles and what is his net worth? Here’s everything you need to know about him. For the latest TV and showbiz news sign up to our newsletter here.

Who is Stephen’s ex-girlfriend?

Emma Barton is most well-known for playing Honey in EastEnders

Stephen’s ex Emma Barton is best known for playing Honey Mitchell in EastEnders (Image: BBC / Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Stephen is known for being notoriously private about his relationships. In 2018 he did admit that he hadn’t been on a date in four years.

In 2008, however, Stephen was linked to EastEnders actress Emma Barton, who plays Honey Mitchell in the BBC soap opera. It was said that the two grew close to each other while starring in the panto production of Snow White in Birmingham.

While neither Stephen nor Emma confirmed the rumours, they were seen together for three years. When their relationship ended, without ever admitting that they were an item, Stephen said his time with Emma came to a ‘natural end’.

When did he snog Holly Willoughby?

Another member of ITV hosting royalty these days, This Morning host Holly was Stephen’s co-host from 2004-2006, on Holly & Stephen’s Saturday Showdown, which was previously called Ministry of Mayhem. Last year a TikTok clip of the pair snogging went viral!

In the video, Stephen, now 46, gives Holly, now 42, a gift. He explains: “Here’s the deal, if you open it you must wear it for the whole show.” Agreeing to the terms, Holly rips open the present to find a green Christmas hat with mistletoe attached to it.

A gleeful Holly announced: “Hurray for me! I can kiss all of the boys in the world all of the time.” She then sings: “Tis the season to kiss Holly fa la la la la” to the tune of Deck the Halls, but when her fellow presenter cheekily kisses her on the lips she objected: “No! Stephen, you don’t count!”

He argues: “What do you mean I don’t count? Whoever you are under the mistletoe with you must kiss,” kissing her again before declaring: “Happy Christmas!”

Joking in response: “Don’t wear my lips out, I am going to be kissing Anthony from Blue soon.”

But Stephen kisses her again, and then two more times later in the show – making a total of five smooches over the course of the Christmas special.

Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby on Dancing on Ice
The pair remain friends and in 2022 Stephen stepped in to replace Philip Schofield on Dancing on Ice when the regular host tested positive for covid.

What else has Stephen been in?

Stephen on Britain’s Got Talent: The Ultimate Magician last year (Image: Thames)
Stephen’s career began in the late nineties when he presented ITV’s children’s channel CITV between 1998-2002. Prior to that, he had spent his time honing his magic skills at Butlin’s in Minehead.