Stephen Mulhern at the Center of Shocking Rumors: Secret Affair with Married ITV Star? Fans Can’t Keep Calm!

British television just got a whole lot spicier. Fans are reeling after explosive rumors surfaced online claiming Stephen Mulhern—ITV’s beloved game show host—is allegedly involved in a secret romance with a married male co-star. The whispers have set social media ablaze, leaving fans on both sides of the Atlantic scrambling for answers.

A Whirlwind of Speculation

Inside Stephen Mulhern's personal life after sudden exit from ITV show |  Metro News

The firestorm began on April 11, when an anonymous insider on X (formerly Twitter) claimed to have seen Mulhern getting “far too close” to a married male ITV personality at an upscale London bar. Though no names were mentioned, the cryptic post—teasing “Mulhern’s secret fling—wedding ring and all!”—gathered over 500,000 likes overnight. That was all it took to send the rumor mill into overdrive.

From Britain’s Got Talent judges to Loose Men panelists, internet sleuths have thrown around every possible name. “Stephen’s got game at 47!” one user joked, referencing his famously low-profile love life since splitting from actress Emma Barton over a decade ago.

Blurry Photos and Bold Claims

A blurry photo supposedly showing the pair sharing drinks fueled speculation further, with fans suggesting the body language was “too intimate for just mates.” One tweet read, “Stephen’s playing with fire—this is ITV’s juiciest scandal in years!” Despite the buzz, no credible evidence has surfaced, and the identity of the alleged mystery man remains just that—a mystery.

A Career Under the Spotlight

Stephen Mulhern has long been one of British  TV’s most familiar faces, fronting shows like CatchphraseDeal or No Deal, and You Bet! in 2025 alone. With a reported net worth of $10 million, the 47-year-old host has largely maintained a clean public image. But this sudden swirl of gossip threatens to flip his wholesome reputation on its head.

Adding fuel to the fire, some fans tied the rumors to ITV’s recent shakeups—like the cancellation of Dancing on Ice—suggesting the network is in damage control mode as public interest intensifies. “Stephen’s stealing the spotlight now—no wonder ITV’s sweating,” a user tweeted.

A ‘Married Man’ and a Homewrecker Narrative?

The rumor’s most controversial element is the “married” status of the mystery man. The suggestion that Stephen could be involved with someone who has a family has triggered backlash from some corners of the internet, with #homewrecker trending briefly on X. Others, however, have leapt to his defense, pointing out the lack of proof and calling the whole saga a tabloid fantasy.

“There’s no way Stephen would do that,” one fan wrote. “He’s always been low-key, never one for scandal.” Meanwhile, others argue the whispers wouldn’t be so loud if there wasn’t some truth to them. “Where there’s smoke…” another tweet warned.

Personal Grief and Public Curiosity

ITV star Stephen Mulhern delights fans with career 'announcement' -  Manchester Evening News

Fans have also speculated whether recent personal hardships may have played a role in Stephen’s alleged romantic entanglement. Reports from early 2025 revealed that his father passed away in 2024, a loss that could have taken an emotional toll. “Grief can make people seek connection,” one fan posted sympathetically.

Is It Just Another Social Media Storm?

While many fans are convinced something is brewing behind the scenes, others dismiss the gossip as just another baseless rumor. Reddit’s r/showbiz forum was quick to label it “classic tabloid bait,” with skeptics pointing out Mulhern’s notoriously private lifestyle and consistent work ethic. “He’s not the scandal type,” one user wrote.

Still, that hasn’t stopped speculation from spiraling into meme territory, with viral images of Stephen winking or sipping tea, captioned with lines like: “Secret lover? ITV’s melting down!”

The Bottom Line

Whether there’s truth behind the rumors or not, one thing’s certain: Stephen Mulhern is back in the headlines in a big way. As ITV continues navigating its recent programming shakeups and the internet debates the truth of the gossip, one question remains: is this a harmless rumor—or the beginning of a headline-grabbing  TV scandal?

Until someone speaks out, fans will just have to keep guessing… and tweeting.