After a rollercoaster year filled with personal heartbreak and professional setbacks, TV star Stephen Mulhern is facing yet another blow—his long-running magic show at Butlin’s has officially been cancelled.
The £1 million live act, which has been a fixture at the resort for the past three summers, won’t be returning in 2026.
A Staple at Butlin’s No More
Stephen, now 48, has become a familiar face at Butlin’s holiday resorts in Minehead, Bognor Regis, and Skegness.
Known for delighting families with his signature brand of magic and charm, he’s been a major hit with holidaymakers.
A Butlin’s spokesperson said, “Stephen has been an incredible part of the Butlin’s experience and continues to be a valued member of the family.
His much-loved live show won’t return in 2026 after three fantastic years, but we’re excited to still be working on projects together this autumn.”
Behind the scenes, a source added that Stephen’s journey with Butlin’s has come full circle.
“He started out as a Redcoat, and now he’s been entertaining families at the highest level. It’s been special.”
From Magic Tricks to TV Fame
Though most people know him for his television work—especially hosting Catchphrase and In For A Penny—Stephen’s first love was always magic.
He got hooked on the craft at just 11 years old after learning tricks from his dad.
Not long after, he was putting on shows at Butlin’s during family holidays, which makes the show’s cancellation especially personal.
A Painful Year Behind the Curtain
This latest development is just one part of what Stephen has openly called his “year from hell.”
Last year, he lost his beloved father, Christopher, a tragedy that hit him incredibly hard.
Around the same time, Stephen also faced his own health scare—he collapsed at a Pizza Express and had to be rushed to hospital following a medical procedure.
Shortly after, ITV confirmed the shock cancellation of his Saturday night game show In For A Penny, which had been on air for six successful series.
While ITV hasn’t ruled out a comeback, the announcement added to the sense that Stephen’s once-smooth career has hit a rough patch.
Tears and Healing on a New TV Journey
Despite everything, Stephen is still pushing forward.
He recently filmed a deeply personal travel show for ITV called The Accidental Tourist, where close friends Ant and Dec surprised him with a trip to South Korea.
The show, filmed just after his father’s passing, gave viewers a much more vulnerable and raw version of the star.
Speaking to The Mirror, Stephen admitted it was emotional to step outside of his usual bubbly presenter role.
“No one’s ever seen me cry on TV before,” he said.
“But I’m proud of this. I’m gutted that my dad didn’t get to see it—it’s been hard.
People know me as this smiley, happy TV guy, but this show shows the real me.”
He continued, “They just kept filming and caught everything.
What you’ll see is me completely out of my comfort zone. It’s scary, but it’s real.”
What the Future Holds
Despite the back-to-back setbacks, Stephen isn’t done yet.
ITV insiders say In For A Penny may return in the future, and he’s still involved in multiple projects behind the scenes.
An ITV spokesperson shared, “Stephen is busy filming other shows this summer.
In For A Penny is still a loved format, and the team could return to your town at any moment.
So don’t put your pennies away just yet!”
For now, Stephen’s fans will be rooting for him to bounce back—as he’s done so many times before.