Into the UNKNOWN

STEPHEN MULHERN on how Ant and Dec have helped him spread his wings with a surprise adventure in South Korea

- WORDS: HANNAH DAVIES. PHOTOS: ITV

ACCIDENTAL TOURIST

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Stephen Mulhern is a creature of habit. He likes to wear the same outfits, visit tried-and-tested restaurants and only holiday in the Algarve, Spain or Florida.

But now, for ITV1 travel special Accidental Tourist, the Catchphrase and Deal or No Deal host is being pushed out of his comfort zone by his good friends Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly after the presenting duo arrange to send him on a surprise trip to South Korea!

'I'm someone who likes the same routine,' shares the 48-year-old star, as TV Times catches up with him for a chat. 'But for this show, I agreed to let Ant and Dec help broaden my horizons, and they have planned my whole itinerary. It was terrifying – it's the first time I've ever cried on TV!'

Here, Stephen talks us through his journey of self-discovery...

So, how did this adventure come about?

The boys and I first spoke about the idea three or four years ago, because people kept asking me if I'd do [Ant and Dec's long-running ITV1 show] I'm a Celebrity... Get Me out of Here! But seeing what the celebs have to do on that makes me think it would be the most horrific time of my life.

I'm used to doing the same things - I like what I like, you know? I think viewers are going to assume Accidental Tourist is going to be a fun, happy-go-lucky show. It's anything but. It's like I'm stripped bare - it's the most exposed I've ever been.

What sort of activities do Ant and Dec challenge you to try?

Along the way, they tell me what they have planned via FaceTime or videos. One day, they sent me to a Korean sauna where everyone was naked. I had a traditional massage and it was so painful that it was like I'd been beaten up.