Stephen Mulhern
A relentlessly cheerful British TV host who became a weekend fixture, moving seamlessly from children's magic to primetime game shows.
Born 1977 (age 49)·English entertainer·Birthday: April 4·Generation X
Biography
Stephen Mulhern's career is a masterclass in sustained, adaptable charm. He began as a magician, winning awards as a teenager, which led to his first big break on children's television with CITV's 'Finger Tips'. His easygoing rapport with both kids and camera made him a staple of Saturday morning TV. Mulhern's real breakthrough into the mainstream came as the backstage host of 'Britain's Got More Talent', where his warm, cheeky interviews provided a perfect counterpoint to the main stage drama. This visibility launched him into a portfolio career hosting ITV's most dependable light entertainment formats. He took over the revived 'Catchphrase', injected chaotic street-game energy into 'In for a Penny', and eventually stepped into major roles hosting 'Deal or No Deal' and 'Dancing on Ice'. His success lies in a genuine, unflappable enthusiasm that makes contestants feel at ease and turns everyday moments into televisable fun.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Stephen was born in 1977, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Stephen Was Born
The biggest hits of 1977
#1 Movie
Star Wars
Best Picture
Annie Hall
#1 TV Show
Happy Days
Stephen's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1977Born
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1982Started school
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1990Became a teenager
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1993Could drive
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1995Could vote
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Turned 21
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2007Turned 30
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2017Turned 40
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 49 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- He hosted the companion show 'Britain's Got More Talent' for 12 consecutive years, from 2007 to 2019.
- He successfully revived and has hosted the classic game show 'Catchphrase' since 2013, making it a Saturday night staple.
- He created and hosted the hit format 'In for a Penny', which involved surprising members of the public with simple games for cash.
- He was named the new permanent host of the revived 'Deal or No Deal' in 2023.
Did You Know?
He is a trained magician and was the youngest member of The Magic Circle at age 11.
He worked as a children's party entertainer before breaking into television.
He and television presenter Declan Donnelly were childhood friends, growing up on the same street in London.
“The trick is to make it look easy, even when your mind is working a mile a minute.”
