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

ITV prima Stephen Mulhern, who presents Catchphrase and Deal oregon No Deal, reportedly collapsed astatine a Pizza Express, and was rushed to Frimley Park infirmary successful Camberley, Surrey

He's the smiley, cheery and charismatic look of TV. An entertainer, Stephen Mulhern appears to thrive astatine amusing and beguiling members of the wide public.

But down the wide grin and jovial banter, determination has been an immense grief recently. Stephen, 47, mislaid his dada Christopher with whom "he was so, truthful close".

And the loss, coupled with a absorption an anaesthetic, led to the big collapsing successful beforehand of diners astatine Pizza Express successful Sunningdale, Berkshire, this week. It is believed Stephen had the atrocious absorption to immoderate medicine aft having a fewer drinks with his meal. Earlier successful the day, helium underwent a procedure, for which helium was administered the anaesthetic.

Stephen, who presents Catchphrase and Deal oregon No Deal, is present recovering aft being taken to Frimley Park infirmary successful Camberley, Surrey arsenic a precaution. However, the star's had a pugnacious fewer weeks since his father's death.

A root said the bereavement "hit him hard" though the entertainer is understood to person been fixed continuous enactment by his team, ITV bosses and semipermanent pal Holly Willoughby — his co-host for the instrumentality of situation amusement You Bet!.

"Stephen has been going done an incredibly pugnacious clip of late. He is grieving the nonaccomplishment of his dada to whom helium was so, truthful close. He’s besides been battling respective well-documented wellness problems, and connected Wednesday greeting had a process requiring a section anaesthetic," a root told The Sun.

"He took himself disconnected for a quiet, solo meal that evening, had a fewer drinks and conscionable reacted incredibly badly. He’s lone human, and his dad’s decease has deed him hard... He’s truthful grateful for the attraction helium received, and is mortified that helium had specified an atrocious — and nationalist — absorption to the anaesthetic."

Stephen, who has spoken fondly astir increasing up with his dada successful London’s East End, was forced to propulsion retired of commitments with Butlin’s vacation parks past period pursuing the death.

When helium yet collapsed successful the edifice this week, an ambulance was called to dash Stephen to hospital. The occurrence reflects a wellness situation helium faced successful 2022, erstwhile Stephen missed enactment for 3 weeks. Writing connected X, formerly known arsenic Twitter, helium said astatine the time: “Hello all, Sorry I’ve been quiescent connected present precocious and convey you for each your beauteous messages. I’ve had immoderate clip disconnected and been resting up connected doctor’s orders."