Inside Stephen Mulhern's heartbreaking grief which led to star being rushed to hospital

ITV star Stephen Mulhern, who presents Catchphrase and Deal or No Deal, reportedly collapsed at a Pizza Express, and was rushed to Frimley Park hospital in Camberley, Surrey

He's the smiley, cheery and charismatic face of TV. An entertainer, Stephen Mulhern appears to thrive at amusing and beguiling members of the general public.

But behind the wide grin and jovial banter, there has been an immense grief recently. Stephen, 47, lost his dad Christopher with whom "he was so, so close".

And the loss, coupled with a reaction an anaesthetic, led to the host collapsing in front of diners at Pizza Express in Sunningdale, Berkshire, this week. It is believed Stephen had the bad reaction to some medication after having a few drinks with his meal. Earlier in the day, he underwent a procedure, for which he was administered the anaesthetic.

Stephen, who presents Catchphrase and Deal or No Deal, is now recovering after being taken to Frimley Park hospital in Camberley, Surrey as a precaution. However, the star's had a tough few weeks since his father's death.

A source said the bereavement "hit him hard" although the entertainer is understood to have been given continuous support by his team, ITV bosses and long-term pal Holly Willoughby — his co-host for the return of challenge show You Bet!.

"Stephen has been going through an incredibly tough time of late. He is grieving the loss of his dad to whom he was so, so close. He’s also been battling several well-documented health problems, and on Wednesday morning had a procedure requiring a local anaesthetic," a source told The Sun.

"He took himself off for a quiet, solo dinner that evening, had a few drinks and just reacted incredibly badly. He’s only human, and his dad’s death has hit him hard... He’s so grateful for the care he received, and is mortified that he had such an awful — and public — reaction to the anaesthetic."

Stephen, who has spoken fondly about growing up with his dad in London’s East End, was forced to pull out of commitments with Butlin’s holiday parks last month following the death.

When he eventually collapsed in the restaurant this week, an ambulance was called to dash Stephen to hospital. The episode reflects a health challenge he faced in 2022, when Stephen missed work for three weeks. Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, he said at the time: “Hello all, Sorry I’ve been quiet on here recently and thank you for all your lovely messages. I’ve had some time off and been resting up on doctor’s orders."