Inside Stephen Mulhern’s year of health battles and the celebs who’ve supported him – after collapsing in Pizza Express

Stephen Mulhern suffered a series of health woes ahead of his concerning collapse in Pizza Express.

Over the past year, much-loved Dancing On Ice host Stephen has dealt with a number of medical issues, lost his beloved father - and has now been rushed into hospital after the worrying incident.

The TV star, 47, was dashed to hospital after paramedics were called to the scene by staff.

As The Sun revealed earlier this week, the entertainer was dining at Pizza Express and took a turn for the worse and emergency services were called after staff became concerned for him.

Bad reaction

He was taken to hospital in Camberley, Surrey and was checked over by paramedics.

It’s thought he was ‘mortified’ by the incident and called his mother Maureen to assure her that he was OK.

An insider told us that the collapse came after Stephen suffered a bad reaction to some local anaesthetic he had earlier in the day.

The source said: "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. 

Missing work

Stephen's health issues began in 2022 when he underwent a hospital procedure and remained away from any work duties. 

He told fans: “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 doctors orders.

“I’m on the mend, I’m happy to say, and looking forward to getting back to work soon. In the meantime, I’ll put my feet up and watch Saturday Night Takeaway tonight with the rest of you lot.”

Then in April this year,he pulled out of filming the Ant and Dec-fronted show once again.

Last minute absence

A source told The Sun on Sunday at the time: "Stephen was due to be on a small section of the show, but sadly he was feeling a bit too poorly to perform.

"When he realised he would be too under the weather to show up he called first thing on Saturday morning to let the team know.

"They were able to rejig the format and make it work without him."

Stephen is also understood to be struggling following the loss of his dad.

It was revealed earlier this week that the star has had to deal with the death of his father, former market trader Christopher.

The grieving star has been mourning the loss of his beloved father which has 'hit him hard’.

The market-trader-turned-magician previously spoke about his strong bond with his parents and said: “I don't mean to sound soppy, but they worked so incredibly hard to bring up me and my two brothers and sister.”

Leaning on his pals

Fortunately, the popular TV host has a good support network, including long-time celebrity friends such as Holly Willoughby and Ant and Dec.

He said previously about his relationship with former This Morning presenter Holly: “She is beautiful and she has a great sense of humour. She’s caring.

"I think she’s an amazing mum. For me, she’s the complete package. She’s an amazing friend. We’re there for each other.”

The star has a long history with I'm A Celeb hosts Ant and Dec. On their friendship, he said recently: "Ant and Dec and I have known each other for 26 years.

"I was doing CITV and they were doing SM:TV Live and we would cross over and do things together but also, where I live, I can walk to the boys houses in five minutes.

“Our friendship off-screen is just as wonderful as on-screen, we support each other, we’re there for each other.”

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