STEPHEN Mulhern has revealed the huge emotional toll of filming his new show Accidental Tourist as he talks about the programme for the first time.
The new ITV gig sees him plunged into unlikely travel experiences by well-travelled pals
But in an unexpected revelation, nervous says at one point the challenge saw him break down.
Stephen said: “You know, called me Fifty Shades of Beige because all my food is beige.
“I don’t travel a lot, I always go to , the food’s safe, and we know what we like.
“But the idea [with Accidental Tourist is I step out my comfort zone and they send me away, I was doing stuff that I’d never do.
“When people see it they’ll see a completely different side.. it’s stripped down.
“People have seen me on TV for nearly 25 years and they go, what’s he like at home? Is he going out with someone?
“Everyone’s like ‘oh Stephen, he’s so nice’ but on this I think you’re going to see it.”;;
Being exposed in that way was a lot for Stephen to handle.
He added: “You’ll see a lot of emotion, 100 per cent. You’ll see me totally out of my comfort zone.
“At one point halfway through, I remember sitting on the bed. And I was like, was this the right choice? Was it the right decision?
“They film and film and film. I’ve never done that. No one’s ever seen me cry – but I cried a lot.”;;
Challenges included eating exotic fish from a market in .
He added: “The best way I can describe it is taking someone from Stratford, East London. And just going, right, good luck.
“I literally couldn’t stomach anything. I literally lost half a stone. I couldn’t eat for two and a half weeks.”;;
But for now he’s in his element as he films a fresh series of Celebrity .
, and are some of the celebs appearing on the current run, which continues this Sunday at 6.55pm on ITV and STV.
Stephen has now filmed more episodes than show legend .
He said: “I love having the comedians on because they just deliver. I asked for because I just always wanted her on the show and do you know what? She delivered brilliantly.
“So the calibre of guests we’ve had on this series I think is the best we’ve had.
“I love it because of the gameplay of it, I think it’s the only game show on the telly where you can never call it. Because it’s not general knowledge.
“I think the secret to success now is proper family entertainment.
“What was the quiz that did? It was just too complicated.
“If you can’t sum up the show in a sentence, it will never work.
“Play Your Cards Right, higher or lower. You Bet, will they do it? Will they not?
“Catchphrase, say what you see. Deal or no deal, pick the right box.”;;
- Celebrity Catchphrase is on at 6.55pm this Sunday on ITV and STV, then available on ITVX and STV Player.
