Rumors that TV presenter Stephen Mulhern, 48, surprised everyone by revealing his “true gender” in a live interview, leaving the audience silent, have ignited speculation, but no evidence supports these claims. Mulhern, known for hosting Britain’s Got More Talent, Catchphrase, and Dancing on Ice, has not addressed gender identity in any interview, live or otherwise, nor caused an audience to fall silent with such a revelation. The rumor, following a similar false claim about a “silent transgender” statement, likely stems from misinterpretations of Mulhern’s private nature or unverified gossip about his sexuality. This article debunks the rumor, clarifies Mulhern’s approach to personal rumors, and explores his recent ties with Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, tying in Donnelly’s Gutfeld! appearance for context.
No Gender Reveal or Silent Audience
No credible sources report Mulhern revealing his gender in a live interview or an audience reacting with silence. His public appearances, such as Catchphrase, You Bet!, or Dancing on Ice (until its March 2025 cancellation), focus on his hosting duties, not personal disclosures. In a 2019 interview, he commented on gender only professionally, noting he couldn’t replace Ant McPartlin on I’m a Celebrity in 2018 because “it couldn’t be a guy!” alongside Declan Donnelly, as producers chose Holly Willoughby. This was unrelated to his own gender identity. Mulhern’s social media, featuring Deal or No Deal promotions or You Bet! updates, shows no engagement with gender speculation.
The “true gender” claim may echo a prior false rumor about a “silent transgender” statement, which was debunked as fiction. It could also misinterpret playful moments, like Mulhern’s 2023 Instagram post in a diamante suit and wig for In For a Penny, which Lisa Armstrong jokingly commented on, saying, “Jesus wept!!!!” Such cross-dressing, common in British comedy, sparked no gender rumors at the time. X posts about a “silent audience” lack evidence, reflecting 2025’s viral misinformation trend. The “live interview” narrative is unsupported, with no record of such an event.
Mulhern’s Stance on Personal Rumors
Mulhern, born April 4, 1977, in Stratford, London, has faced speculation due to his private life, including unconfirmed claims about his sexuality, which he addressed minimally in 2017, saying, “Until I come out myself, nothing can be said.” He’s been linked to actress Emma Barton (2008–2011), met during a Snow White pantomime, and briefly to Josie Gibson in 2024, clarifying they were friends. His focus remains professional, often joking about his work-heavy schedule limiting dating, as in a 2020 comment about not having “enough” sex.
In November 2024, Mulhern was hospitalized after collapsing at a Pizza Express, reacting to an anesthetic post-procedure, amid grief over his father Christopher’s death. He paused commitments like The Big Soap Quiz, but no gender-related rumors surfaced. Support from fans and colleagues, including Willoughby, centered on his recovery, not identity speculation. His rare personal comments, like enjoying single life, avoid engaging with gossip about gender or sexuality.
Ties to Ant McPartlin and Family Context
Mulhern’s work with McPartlin, 49, and Donnelly, 49, on Britain’s Got More Talent and Saturday Night Takeaway connects him to their circle, but no recent interactions tie to the rumor. McPartlin and Anne-Marie Corbett, 47, welcomed their son Wilder Patrick McPartlin in May 2024, with no second child confirmed despite recurring rumors. Mulhern joined McPartlin and Donnelly for The Accidental Tourist in August 2024, a travel show, but hasn’t commented on their family beyond professional camaraderie.
McPartlin’s life centers on his £6 million Wimbledon mansion, stepdaughters Poppy and Daisy, and dogs Hurley, Milo, and Bumble. His May 2024 tattoo reveal, featuring “Amzie” (Corbett’s nickname) and family names, sparked buzz but no gender-related links to Mulhern. Lisa Armstrong, McPartlin’s ex-wife, posted about her nephew Jude’s birth in December 2024, misread by some as her own baby news, and her February 2025 post targeting “c*** exes” reflected personal pain, not Mulhern’s rumors. Donnelly’s Gutfeld! appearance, gifting a BGT buzzer to Greg Gutfeld’s daughter Mira, ties into family themes but doesn’t relate to the gender claim.
Showbiz Context: Why Rumors Persist
Mulhern’s visibility on You Bet! with Willoughby and Catchphrase fuels speculation, especially after Dancing on Ice’s cancellation. The “gender reveal” rumor may stem from his In For a Penny costume or confusion with broader gossip, like Armstrong’s posts or McPartlin’s family rumors. His replacement of Phillip Schofield on Dancing on Ice in 2024 shifted focus to professional transitions, not gender. Schofield’s strained ties with Willoughby, post his 2023 ITV exit, and his Cast Away snub of her don’t connect to Mulhern’s rumor but highlight the gossip-heavy showbiz climate.
Donnelly’s Gutfeld! moment and McPartlin’s BGT work amplify buzz, with fans misinterpreting Mulhern’s “unbelievable” catchphrase or banter as personal disclosures. The “silent audience” narrative mirrors exaggerated reactions to McPartlin’s tattoo or Armstrong’s posts, driven by social media hype. The rumor’s persistence may reflect curiosity about Mulhern’s private life, despite his clear boundary-setting.
Public Reaction and Clarification
X posts praise Mulhern’s hosting: “Stephen kills it on You Bet!. No gender drama needed!” Others spread fiction: “Mulhern’s gender reveal in an interview? Audience stunned?” Armstrong’s fans focus on her resilience, not Mulhern. The absence of a live interview or gender statement is clear from recent coverage, like Mulhern’s May 2025 Catchphrase filming. The “silent audience” claim is social media exaggeration, not reality.
Looking Ahead
Mulhern continues with Catchphrase and You Bet!, with no gender reveal confirmed. McPartlin and Corbett focus on Wilder, with no second child. Donnelly’s Saturday Night Takeaway 2026 return may feature Mulhern, given their Accidental Tourist work. Armstrong’s Strictly role and Hurley custody battle mark her path. The rumored gender reveal and silent audience are fiction, but Mulhern’s professionalism and McPartlin’s family joy tell an authentic story.
