Is Stephen Mulhern married? Does he have a girlfriend, or is he quietly seeing someone we don’t know about? You watch him on ITV almost every week, so it feels strange that nobody can say who he goes home to.Here is the short answer. As of October 2026, Stephen Mulhern has never been married and has no publicly confirmed partner.
His only widely reported long relationship was with EastEnders actress Emma Barton, and that ended in 2011.I’ve gone through what he has actually said, what other people have said, and what is just tabloid noise. Read on, then tell me in the comments what you think about his private life and why he guards it so closely.
Stephen Mulhern Quick Facts
Here is a fast snapshot for anyone who just wants the facts.
- Full name: Stephen Daniel Mulhern
- Born: 4 April 1977, Stratford, East London
- Age: 49 (he turned 49 in April 2026)
- Job: ITV presenter, magician and comedian
- Marital status: Never married
- Children: None reported
- Publicly confirmed partner: None
- Best known ex: Emma Barton (2008 to 2011)
- Rumoured link: Josie Gibson (close friends, rumour denied)
- Famous shows: Saturday Night Takeaway, Celebrity Catchphrase, Deal or No Deal, Dancing on Ice, In For a Penny
Many older articles still list his age as 44, 46 or 47.
Those pages are outdated, so double check the date before you trust any number you read.
Who Is Stephen Mulhern’s Partner?
Right now, nobody can name a Stephen Mulhern partner with confidence.
He has not introduced a girlfriend, wife or boyfriend to the public, and no credible source has confirmed one.
Some websites flatly call him single, and that goes a step too far.
All we can honestly say is that no relationship has been confirmed, which is not the same as knowing his relationship status for certain.
He has also never really pushed the topic.
Back in 2018 he told Celebs Now that the last time he went on a date was about four years earlier.
That is the most direct thing he has ever said about his dating history.
It also fits a pattern, because his career has always come first.
Stephen Mulhern and Emma Barton
Picture a cold winter backstage at a Snow White pantomime in Canterbury.
That is where Stephen met Emma Barton in 2008, when she played Snow White and he played Muddles at the Marlowe Theatre.
They started dating soon after, and they kept it low key.
Most people only found out later, because neither of them courted the cameras.
The pair split in 2011, and Stephen has described it as a natural end.
There was no big scandal and no public bust up, which is probably why the story still reads so calmly today.
Emma is best known as Honey Mitchell in EastEnders.
She has since moved on with her own life, and Stephen has never publicly reopened the topic.
Was Stephen Mulhern Dating Josie Gibson?
No, the two are close friends and not a couple.
But I can see exactly why people wondered, so let me tell you how the rumour began.
On 13 April 2024, the cameras caught Stephen and This Morning presenter Josie Gibson appearing to hold hands on the set of the final Saturday Night Takeaway.
The photos went everywhere within hours, and the tabloid headlines wrote themselves.
Josie then joked to the Daily Mail that she was in love with Stephen, which poured petrol on the fire.
She later told OK! magazine there was no romance in the air, just a really good friendship.
Stephen cleared it up on This Morning in May 2024, with a grin.
He explained that Josie had missed a rehearsal, so he simply took her hand and showed her where to stand.
Here is a quick way to read the whole thing:
- The photo: a hand hold during a live show rehearsal
- The joke: a playful comment from Josie that got taken literally
- The correction: both of them have since said they are just friends
Stephen Mulhern Relationship Timeline
A clear timeline helps cut through the gossip.
Here are the confirmed moments in order.
- 1977: Stephen is born in Stratford, East London.
- 2004: He starts presenting with Holly Willoughby on the CITV show Saturday Showdown, and the two become lifelong friends.
- 2008: He meets Emma Barton during the Snow White pantomime in Canterbury, and they start dating.
- 2011: The relationship with Emma ends naturally.
- 2018: He tells Celebs Now that he hasn’t dated in years.
- April 2024: He is pictured holding hands with Josie Gibson at the Saturday Night Takeaway finale.
- May 2024: He laughs off the rumour on This Morning.
- 2026: He turns 49, with no publicly confirmed partner.
One more name deserves a mention, because fans bring it up all the time.
Holly Willoughby and Stephen shared a playful mistletoe kiss on a Christmas episode of Saturday Showdown, but that was a TV gag between two close friends and nothing more.
Why Stephen Mulhern’s Private Life Is Less Visible Than His Career
Think about how many hours a week this man works.
Between studio days, live shows, filming trips and promo, there is hardly a gap for a normal social life.
He has said he is a quiet person off camera and that his siblings are his go to people.
In interviews he often talks about his family, his parents who ran a market stall, and his small circle of showbiz friends like Ant and Dec.
It also helps to remember what he does for a living.
A magician earns a living by keeping secrets, so it makes sense that he applies the same rule to his love life.
If you ever try to work out whether a celebrity relationship story is real, these checks help:
- Look for their own words: has the person confirmed it in an interview?
- Check the date: many articles recycle old rumours as new news.
- Spot the source: an unnamed insider is not a confirmation.
- Watch the context: a photo from a work event proves very little.
What Is Stephen Mulhern Doing Now?
His career is as busy as ever.
He fronts Celebrity Catchphrase and the revived Deal or No Deal, and he has joined Holly Willoughby as a co host on Dancing on Ice.
He is also known for In For a Penny, and he remains a regular part of the Saturday Night Takeaway family with Ant and Dec.
Magic is still in his blood, and it shows in almost everything he hosts.
Recent reports say he is heading to Australia to appear as a guest on I’m A Celeb Unpacked alongside GK Barry.
Those reports are based on press sources, so check ITV for official confirmation as the series gets closer.
Conclusion
So, who is the Stephen Mulhern partner everyone keeps searching for? Based on everything that is publicly known, there isn’t a confirmed one, and he has never been married.His past is simple: a three year relationship with Emma Barton, some playful gossip about JosieGibson, and a lot of work in between.
If that changes, I’ll update this page, so bookmark it and share it with a friend who loves a bit of celeb trivia.
FAQs
Is Stephen Mulhern married?
No, Stephen Mulhern has never been married. He has kept his romantic life private throughout his career.
Who is Stephen Mulhern’s current partner?
There is no publicly confirmed partner as of October 2026. He has not announced a girlfriend, boyfriend or wife.
Did Stephen Mulhern date Emma Barton?
Yes, they dated from 2008 to 2011 after meeting in a Snow White pantomime. Stephen has said the relationship came to a natural end.
Is Stephen Mulhern dating Josie Gibson?
No, they are good friends and have both said there is no romance. The rumour started after they were photographed holding hands in April 2024.
Does Stephen Mulhern have a wife?
No, Stephen Mulhern does not have a wife. He has also never been married.
How old is Stephen Mulhern?
Stephen Mulhern is 49 years old. He was born on 4 April 1977 in Stratford, London.

Mubeen is a passionate writer who shares simple and practical English grammar, vocabulary, and writing tips at ScoopVisly.
