Stephen Mulhern: ‘Bending in impossible positions while naked was most horrific moment of my life’

Stephen Mulhern has been forced to contort in ways he never has before as he stepped far out of his comfort zone in his new ITV show.

The TV presenter, 48, is a homebody turned globetrotter in the new series, Accidental Tourist, as he experiences all sorts of magical – and not-so magical – new experiences in South Korea with the help of his friends, Ant and Dec.

Opening up about some of the most bonkers moments from his travels on Lorraine this morning, he told host Christine Lampard that one massage parlour experience left him truly rocked to his core.

‘We go to a traditional Korean massage place, and I say to the guy that drives us there: “well, what’s it like?”.

‘Someone’s translating as he’s replying, and he’s like to me, “all you need to do is take all your clothes off” and I’m like “what?”,’ he recalled to a laughing Christine.

As he spoke, the screen flashed an image of Stephen wearing nothing but a pair of black boxers, his face contorted in pain as a liquid was poured all over his body.

The Catchphrase host concluded: ‘It was the most horrific moment of my life. He bent me in positions that I never knew I could – I was like a contortionist. Bendy Wendy!’

At another point on his trip, the sheltered media personality recounted a food first as well.

‘I [tried] a prawn [for the first time], and I’m virtually physically sick, it was so meaty. For me, it’s a massive thing,’ and at another, he met with a fortune teller who ‘told me stuff that she couldn’t have Googled, and it’s serious stuff.’

It’s been a year of change for the longtime British TV personality after ITV confirmed his Dancing On Ice, which he co-hosted with Holly Willoughby, was being axed.

Then, over the summer, it was revealed he would be stepping back from his regular gig as a Butlins Redcoat.

In a statement to Metro at the time, his representatives said: ‘Stephen has absolutely loved being part of the Butlins family – performing his stage shows in front of thousands of holiday makers across the country, and the relationship with Butlins remains hugely positive.

‘This change allows Stephen to explore new opportunities in the family holiday space – something he’s incredibly passionate about.’

As for Accidental Tourist, Stephen has shared: ‘I think this is the most exposing thing I’ve ever done on TV.

‘This isn’t me presenting. This is me being myself. And that’s something people have never seen before.’ 

Accidental Tourist arrives on ITV1 at 9pm.

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