Stephen Mulhern rushed to hospital after collapsing in front of horrified diners at Pizza Express following dad’s death

HEARTBROKEN Stephen Mulhern was taken to hospital after dramatically collapsing at a Pizza Express.

The telly favourite, mourning the death of his beloved father, had been drinking with his meal but is believed to have reacted to an anaesthetic he had for an operation earlier in the day.

An ambulance was called after staff became concerned for 47-year-old Stephen at around 8pm on Wednesday.

He was checked over by paramedics and taken from Sunningdale, Berks, to nearby Frimley Park hospital in Camberley, Surrey, as a precaution.

Last night, a source told The Sun: “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.

“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.

“Stephen immediately felt unwell and concerned staff came over, and called 999. Paramedics checked him over and took him to hospital as a precaution. He was also put on the phone to his mum to reassure her that he was OK.

“Stephen is recovering well at home now, and is resting up.

“He’s so grateful for the care he received, and is mortified that he had such an awful — and public — reaction to the anaesthetic.”

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

The TV star, once the youngest member of the Magic Circle, was introduced to tricks by his dad and honed his skills while working on his market stall.

His father’s death was a fresh blow to the popular presenter, who has been besieged by health problems over the past few years.

In April, he missed an episode of Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway due to illness, meaning Jordan North was brought in to cover his segment.

And in March 2022, The Sun on Sunday revealed he had been taken to hospital with an unknown condition.

He missed two episodes, and joked on his return that his private jet had broken down in Hollywood.

He added: “No, seriously, I haven’t been too well.”

‘Doctor’s orders’

At the time, Stephen then wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “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.”

He later told The Sun: “It’s really bizarre because this is the first time I’ve ever explained — because I keep myself to myself — but I was in hospital. Now we’re all right. But it wasn’t good. It was a bit of a worrying time.”

Last night, a spokesman for the star confirmed: “Stephen has had an incredibly tough time over the past few weeks. His beloved father recently passed away which has hit him hard and has been understandably very stressful. In addition, he had a surgical procedure.

“Following the anaesthetic administered, he had a few drinks which made him unwell and he was taken in to hospital as a precaution. He is now back home recovering.”

News of the incident comes in the run-up to the much-hyped return of iconic 80s challenge show You Bet!.

ITV yesterday released two new clips from the programme, which airs on December 7.