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Stephen Mulhern breaks down in tears as he opens up about dad’s death
Key Points
- Stephen Mulhern became emotional on his new ITV show, Accidental Tourist, discussing his dad’s passing.
- The show, arranged by Ant and Dec, pushed Stephen to face fears and step out of his comfort zone in South Korea.
- Stephen received a heartfelt letter from his mum, encouraging him to embrace the journey and remember his dad.
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Stephen Mulhern has broken down in tears after opening up about his late dad who died last year.
The TV presenter, 48, embarked on a solo trip to South Korea to step out of his comfort zone as part of his new ITV show, Accidental Tourist.
Arranged by Ant and Dec, the series sees the comedian confront his biggest food phobias as well as his fear of the sea.
However, after discussing his family, Stephen became emotional when mentioning his dad Christopher.
Speaking to the camera, the 48-year-old said: ‘As a family, we know what we like and that’s what we do, and we always have.
‘I am scared, I find my phobias so frustrating, but it’s time to make change, and the change is now.
But, after mentioning his dad, he continued: ‘If I was to tell my dad this, my dad passed away at the start of the year…sorry.’
As he struggled to get his words out, he then whispered: ‘He wouldn’t believe it. I hope… he’d be proud.’
After reaching Korea, Stephen’s emotions spilled over the edge again after he opened a letter from his mum.
It read: ‘My darling Stevie, when you read this letter you will be in Korea.
‘Since you were small you have always believed in magic and from the bottom of my heart I hope you see the magic in this trip.
‘Give it your best shot as you always do. On that note my darling, me and daddy will be with you every step of the way.
‘Get back quick, love you forever, mum and dad.’
Opening up about some of the most crazy experiences he had on his travels, he told host Christine Lampard on Lorraine that one massage parlour experience left him truly rocked to his core.
‘We go to a traditional Korean massage place, and I say to the guy that drives us there: “well, what’s it like?”.
‘Someone’s translating as he’s replying, and he’s like to me, “all you need to do is take all your clothes off” and I’m like “what?”,’ he recalled to a laughing Christine.
Stephen then explained how it was ‘the most horrific moment of my life’, adding: ‘He bent me in positions that I never knew I could – I was like a contortionist. Bendy Wendy!’
Accidental Tourist is available to watch on ITVX.
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