Stephen Mulhern’s £1 million Butlin’s magic show has come to an end as the presenter continues to navigate a difficult year.
The 48-year-old TV personality has performed at the holiday resort chain for the past three years but will not return next summer in order to “explore new opportunities”.
Mulhern usually takes his magic show to Butlin’s sites in Minehead, Bognor Regis, and Skegness. While he steps away from the stage, he will continue with a number of other projects, including Catchphrase, Deal or No Deal, a new series of You Bet, and a forthcoming ITV travel show titled The Accidental Tourist.
A spokesperson for Mulhern said: “Stephen has absolutely loved being part of the Butlin's family, performing his stage shows in front of thousands of holidaymakers across the country, and the relationship with Butlin's remains hugely positive.”
They added: “This change allows Stephen to explore new opportunities in the family holiday space – something he’s incredibly passionate about.”
Though now best known for his work on television, Mulhern began his career as a magician. He learned tricks from his father at the age of 11 and began performing during childhood holidays at Butlin’s.
The news marks the latest in a series of professional and personal setbacks for Mulhern. Earlier this year, both Dancing on Ice and his Saturday night gameshow ‘In For A Penny’ were cancelled.
He also revealed he broke down in tears while filming The Accidental Tourist, a one-off ITV special that follows Mulhern as he travels to South Korea with Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly.
Speaking to the Mirror, he said: “No one’s ever seen me cry on the telly, but it was quite nice to not be behind a format, I’ve never done that. You’re going to see behind the razzle-dazzle if you like.”
The show was filmed shortly after the death of Mulhern’s father Christopher in 2024. The presenter also suffered his own health scare that same year when he collapsed at a Pizza Express after undergoing an unspecified medical procedure.
“It’s the only thing, I’m gutted that he didn’t see it,” he told the Mirror, reflecting on his father missing the show. “People have thankfully seen me on TV for nearly 25 years, but they may go, ‘Well, what’s he like at home? Is he going out with someone? I’m at the very centre of this, and it’s scary.’
“They film and they film and they film and they just get everything. I think what you’re going to see is a lot of emotion. You’ll see me totally out of my comfort zone.”
A spokesperson said at the time: “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.”
Following the cancellation of In For A Penny after six series, ITV sources suggested the show could still return. One insider said: “Whilst Stephen is busy filming other projects over the summer, In For A Penny continues to be a much-loved format for ITV. So don’t put your pennies away just yet, as the team could be popping up in your local town to challenge even more members of the public to take part in their unique and madcap games in the future.”
Mulhern is currently hosting Deal or No Deal, which was revived by ITV in 2023 after originally running on Channel 4 for 11 years with Noel Edmonds.
