Stephen Mulhern replaced on popular ITV show amid restaurant collapse and father’s death as soap star steps in
Stephen Mulhern has stepped down from hosting ITV’s The Big Soap Quiz following the death of his father Christopher, with former Coronation Street star Sally Lindsay set to take over.
The 47-year-old presenter, known for shows including Deal or No Deal and Dancing on Ice, has faced a challenging few weeks which culminated in his hospitalisation after collapsing at a Pizza Express last Wednesday.
Lindsay, 51, who played Shelley Unwin in Coronation Street from 2001 to 2006, will front the 2024 edition of the annual quiz show while Mulhern takes time to grieve and recover.
The Big Soap Quiz traditionally pits stars from Coronation Street against their Emmerdale counterparts in a battle of soap knowledge.
The show typically features Jack P Shepherd, who plays David Platt in Coronation Street, and Mark Charnock, known for his role as Marlon Dingle in Emmerdale, as team captains.
However, ITV has yet to announce this year’s team captains or which cast members will participate in testing their soap knowledge.
Sally Lindsay’s appointment marks a return to the ITV soap world, where she made her name as barmaid Shelley on the cobbles of Coronation Street.
GB News has contacted Mulhern’s representatives and ITV for a comment.
Mulhern was rushed to hospital on Wednesday after collapsing at a Pizza Express in Sunningdale, Berkshire.
A source told The Sun: “Stephen has been going through an incredibly tough time of late. He is grieving the loss of his dad to whom he was so, so close.”
The TV presenter had undergone a procedure requiring local anaesthetic earlier that day and reportedly reacted badly after having a few drinks during his solo dinner.
Paramedics were called to the scene around 8pm, and he was taken to Frimley Park Hospital in Camberley, Surrey, as a precaution.
Staff at the restaurant contacted emergency services after becoming concerned for his wellbeing.
A spokesperson for Mulhern told MailOnline: “Stephen has had an incredibly tough time over the past few weeks.
“His beloved father recently passed away which has hit him hard and has been understandably very stressful.”
The presenter is now recovering at home and is reportedly “mortified” about having such a public reaction to the anaesthetic.
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He has been receiving continuous support from his team, ITV bosses and long-term friend and colleague Holly Willoughby during this difficult period.
The Deal Or No Deal star, who was born to market trader parents Christopher and Maureen, has previously credited his success to their hard work and support.