Stephen Mulhern has revealed how filming his emotional new travel documentary The Accidental Tourist became a deeply personal journey, marking his first TV appearance since the death of his father, Christopher.
The beloved presenter, known for Catchphrase, In For A Penny, and Britain’s Got More Talent, opened up about stepping far outside his comfort zone — both physically and emotionally — during the ITV special filmed shortly after his father passed away.
Speaking to the Mirror, the 48-year-old shared: “No one’s ever seen me cry on TV. But this time, there’s no format, no script. It’s just me — completely exposed.”
The programme sees Stephen sent to South Korea by friends Ant and Dec, where he’s immersed in unfamiliar environments, extreme adventures, and bizarre cuisine. “It was terrifying,” he admitted, especially with the emotional weight of grief looming over the experience.
“I was gutted my dad didn’t get to see it,” he said. “He would’ve loved watching me make a fool of myself around the world. But emotionally, I just wasn’t prepared. They filmed everything — the highs, the lows, and a side of me I never show.”
Stephen described some of the foods he was challenged to try — from live octopus to sea creatures he didn’t even recognise. “When I got home, I couldn’t eat for two and a half weeks. I lost half a stone.”
Despite the mental and physical strain, he pushed through, even though he considered quitting midway through filming. “Would I do it again? I honestly don’t know,” he said.
The Accidental Tourist is expected to air later this year, showing fans a raw, unfiltered version of the man they’ve watched for nearly 25 years — a man still navigating the pain of personal loss while facing the unknown.
