He’s the cheeky magician-turned-presenter who’s been a staple on our screens for decades, hosting everything from Catchphrase to Deal or No Deal with his trademark grin and boundless energy.

But in a heart-wrenching twist that left viewers reaching for the tissues, Stephen Mulhern, 48, broke down in floods of tears during his brand-new ITV adventure with best pals Ant and Dec – and now, bosses have delivered the best news possible: the show is coming back for more!

ITV has sensationally commissioned three additional specials of Accidental Tourist, the feel-good-yet-emotional travel format that saw Stephen pushed way out of his comfort zone on a solo trip to South Korea.

The announcement comes just weeks after the one-off debut aired on December 14, 2025, pulling in a whopping 3.4 million viewers – making it ITV’s biggest 9pm factual launch of the year.

Fans were left sobbing as Stephen opened up about the devastating loss of his father Christopher, who passed away earlier in 2025, in raw and emotional scenes that showed a vulnerable side to the usually upbeat star we’ve rarely seen before.

‘Not wanting to undo the impressive progress he’d already made during his trip to South Korea,’ a show insider dished to the Daily Mail, ‘Stephen has decided he needs to spread his wings further – and who better to help once again than his close pals Ant and Dec.’

Stephen himself is said to be ‘over the moon’ about the renewal. ‘I don’t want to undo the good work I achieved so I’ve asked Ant and Dec to help me again,’ he revealed. ‘I’m still scared but this time I’m a little excited too!’

Ant, 50, and Dec, also 50, who produce the show through their Mitre Television company, are equally thrilled. Dec teased: ‘We have a long list of places we’d love him to experience.’

The Geordie duo added in a joint statement: ‘We’re delighted to be sending Stephen on more adventures – he’s come so far already!’

Let’s rewind to that emotional debut. Accidental Tourist was born out of Stephen’s admission that he’s a total creature of habit – holidaying only in Florida for the theme parks and familiar food, avoiding anything too adventurous.

‘I like routine,’ he confessed pre-trip. ‘I hate the unknown.’

So, naturally, mischievous mates Ant and Dec packed him off to South Korea – a destination he’d never dreamed of visiting.

What followed was TV gold: Stephen retching over unfamiliar street food like live octopus and fermented prawns, suffering a full-blown panic attack while attempting to swim in the sea for the first time ever, and even having meltdowns over spicy kimchi and crowded markets.

But amid the hilarious mishaps – including a near-quit moment when he begged to come home – came profoundly moving moments.

In one tear-jerking scene, Stephen visited a beautiful temple and reflected on his late dad, breaking down as he spoke about how proud his father had been of his career.

‘I’ve never cried on television before,’ Stephen later admitted. ‘But this show… it just got to me.’

Viewers were hooked. ‘Stephen Mulhern breaking down on Accidental Tourist has me in bits,’ posted one on X. ‘We’ve seen the fun side forever, but this vulnerable side? Heartbreaking and brilliant.’

Another gushed: ‘More please! Stephen out of his comfort zone is the best TV in years. Ant and Dec are geniuses for this.’

A third added: ‘3.4m viewers? No surprise – it’s funny, emotional and so real. Renew it NOW!’

And ITV listened. The three new specials will see Stephen tackling even more fears in undisclosed locations – with Ant and Dec pulling the strings from back home, setting challenges via video link and no doubt cackling at his expense.

‘Expect more food horrors, more phobias and more tears – but the good kind,’ our source teased. ‘Stephen’s growth in the first one was incredible. These new trips will push him further.’

The renewal is a massive boost for Stephen, who’s had a rollercoaster few years on TV.

After the heartbreaking end of Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway in 2024 – where he was a regular fixture with his In For A Penny segments – and the cancellation of Dancing on Ice after series 17 in 2025 (which he co-hosted), fans worried his slate was thinning.

His live Butlin’s show also wrapped up without renewal, and while Catchphrase and Deal or No Deal continue strong, this travel format feels like a fresh triumph.

‘Stephen’s been ITV’s go-to guy for years,’ the insider said. ‘But Accidental Tourist shows he can do emotional, factual TV too. It’s opened new doors.’

Long-time fans know Stephen’s journey started as a teenage magician, winning awards and even performing for royalty before breaking into kids’ TV with shows like Finger Tips and Tricky TV.

He shot to mainstream fame hosting Britain’s Got More Talent for 12 years, then revived Catchphrase in 2013 – a gig he’s held ever since.

Hits like Rolling In It (2020-2021), In For A Penny (which spun off into its own series), and the Deal or No Deal reboot in 2023 cemented his status as the king of light entertainment.

But off-screen, Stephen’s kept his private life just that – private. He’s single, lives quietly in Essex, and was rocked by his dad’s passing in 2025.

‘My dad was my biggest supporter,’ he shared tearfully in the show. ‘He’d have loved seeing me try new things.’

Ant and Dec, who’ve pranked him mercilessly over the years (remember the undercover panto nightmare?), have been rocks throughout.

Their friendship dates back decades, sparked by a magic trick Stephen performed that left them stunned.

‘We’ve been mates ever since,’ Ant once said. ‘He’s family.’

Now, with I’m A Celebrity wrapped for another year and no Takeaway on the horizon, this renewed format gives the trio a perfect playground.

Filming for the new specials is expected to start soon, with air dates likely later in 2026.

‘Viewers loved seeing Stephen vulnerable,’ the source added. ‘It humanised him. And the banter with Ant and Dec? Pure telly magic.’

Social media is already buzzing. #AccidentalTourist is trending again, with fans speculating destinations: ‘Please send him to India for the spice!’ begged one. ‘Or Australia for the bugs!’ laughed another.

One emotional post read: ‘After losing his dad, seeing Stephen heal through travel is beautiful. More episodes please!’

Stephen, ever the pro, has been posting throwback clips from Korea on Instagram, captioning one: ‘Who knew prawns could make a grown man cry? Thanks Ant & Dec for the push – round two incoming!’

As one fan perfectly summed it up: ‘From meltdowns to milestones – Stephen Mulhern’s Accidental Tourist is the feel-good hit we all need.’

We can’t wait to see where – and how far – they send him next.

Break a leg (or don’t try the street food), Stephen – we’re rooting for you!