Stephen Mulhern, once a young magician dazzling audiences with sleight-of-hand tricks, has quietly climbed the ranks of British television to become ITV’s richest star, surpassing even the beloved Bradley Walsh. In a remarkable journey that began with children’s TV and magic shows, Mulhern’s rise to the top has culminated in a net worth that has left fans and industry insiders alike in awe. By May 2025, his fortune, reportedly exceeding £5 million, reflects not only his presenting prowess but also his savvy business ventures. This article explores Mulhern’s ascent from humble beginnings to ITV’s top earner, the factors behind his financial success, and the broader implications of his journey, delving into why this milestone has captivated audiences.
A Magical Rise to the Top
Stephen Mulhern’s journey to becoming ITV’s richest star is a testament to persistence, talent, and strategic growth. Born on April 4, 1977, in Minehead, Somerset, Mulhern grew up learning magic tricks from his father, a skill that would shape his early career. He became the youngest member of The Magic Circle and performed at the Royal Variety Show in 1997, a moment that caught the eye of television producers. His first major break came in 2001 as a presenter on CITV’s Finger Tips alongside Fearne Cotton, followed by a string of children’s shows like Tricky TV and Holly & Stephen’s Saturday Showdown with Holly Willoughby. These early roles, though modest, laid the foundation for his later success, showcasing his charisma and versatility.
Mulhern’s career took off in the 2010s as he transitioned to prime-time ITV programming. He became a household name through shows like Britain’s Got More Talent, Catchphrase, and In For A Penny, often working alongside Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly on Saturday Night Takeaway. His big break came when he replaced Phillip Schofield as co-host of Dancing on Ice with Holly Willoughby in 2024, a role that cemented his status as a leading presenter. He also took over the revival of Deal or No Deal, further expanding his portfolio. By May 2025, Mulhern’s net worth is estimated at £5 million, with an income of over £80,000 per week, according to financial reports from his company, Blue Eye Productions Limited, which earned £4 million in the year leading up to February 2024.
Surpassing Bradley Walsh
Mulhern’s ascent to ITV’s richest star marks a significant milestone, as he has now surpassed Bradley Walsh, a veteran presenter known for hosting The Chase and Blankety Blank. Walsh, with a reported net worth of around £4 million as of early 2025, has long been a dominant figure on ITV, earning a substantial income from his hosting roles and acting gigs, including his role on Coronation Street. However, Mulhern’s recent financial gains have pushed him ahead, a development that has surprised many given Walsh’s longer tenure in the industry.
The key to Mulhern’s financial success lies in his diversified income streams. As the sole director of Blue Eye Productions Limited, he earned £4,035,019 in shareholder funds from February 2023 to February 2024, equating to £336,200 a month or £85,062 a week. Additionally, until October 2024, he was a director of JFDI Productions Limited, which amassed £2,896,702 in net assets between 2022 and April 2023. Beyond television, Mulhern has invested wisely in property, owning a portfolio of six homes across Essex, Leicester, and South West London, valued at £2.2 million as of 2021. These investments, combined with his high-profile ITV roles, have propelled his net worth to new heights, outpacing Walsh and other contemporaries.
The Public’s Reaction: Shock and Admiration
Mulhern’s rise to the top has sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with fans expressing both shock and admiration for his success. On X, users celebrated his journey, with one writing, “From magician to millionaire—Stephen Mulhern’s story is incredible! Beating Bradley Walsh is no small feat.” Another commented, “His net worth is mind-blowing—£5 million and counting! Hard work pays off.” The revelation of his earnings—over £80,000 a week—has left many in disbelief, with fans marveling at how someone who started in children’s TV could amass such a fortune.
The story has also prompted broader discussions about success in the entertainment industry. Mulhern’s ascent highlights the potential for growth in television, even for those who start in less glamorous roles. His trajectory from CITV to prime-time ITV contrasts with Walsh’s more traditional path through acting and hosting, showing that versatility and strategic investments can lead to unexpected financial heights. Fans have also praised Mulhern’s humility, noting that despite his wealth, he remains approachable, often joking about “taking jobs Ant and Dec don’t want,” as he once quipped in a 2023 interview with The Mirror.
A Journey Kept Under Wraps
What makes Mulhern’s rise particularly remarkable is how quietly he achieved it. While Ant and Dec have long dominated headlines as ITV’s golden duo, Mulhern has been steadily building his empire behind the scenes. His early career struggles, including a brief suspension from Finger Tips for revealing a magic trick on air, taught him resilience, and his five-year stint on Tricky TV honed his skills as an entertainer. By the time he joined Britain’s Got More Talent in 2012, Mulhern had developed a reputation as a reliable presenter, often stepping in for bigger names like Ant and Dec when they were unavailable, such as during Britain’s Got Talent: The Ultimate Magician in 2022.
Mulhern’s business acumen has been a key factor in his success. His production companies, Blue Eye Productions and JFDI Productions, have allowed him to retain control over his earnings, while his property investments have provided a steady stream of passive income. Unlike many celebrities who flaunt their wealth, Mulhern has kept his financial dealings private, focusing instead on his work. This low-key approach has earned him respect, with fans noting that he “kept climbing while no one was watching,” as one X user put it, a sentiment that captures the understated nature of his rise to the top.
A Broader Reflection
Mulhern’s journey from magician to millionaire resonates on multiple levels. In the UK, where the television industry is fiercely competitive, his success story offers hope to aspiring entertainers, showing that persistence and diversification can lead to extraordinary outcomes. His net worth of £5 million, while impressive, also reflects broader trends in the industry, where presenters are increasingly leveraging their platforms to build business empires. Mulhern’s investments in property mirror those of other ITV stars like Ant and Dec, who have also ventured into real estate, highlighting a shift toward financial independence among television personalities.
The story also touches on the cultural significance of wealth in the public eye. Mulhern’s fortune, while substantial, is modest compared to global stars, yet it has sparked fascination because of his relatable persona. Fans see him as someone who started small—performing magic tricks at Butlins as a teenager—and worked his way up, a narrative that resonates in a country where social mobility is often celebrated. His surpassing of Bradley Walsh, a figure associated with traditional success, adds an element of surprise, making his achievement feel like a victory for the underdog.
Why Everyone’s Talking
The fascination with Stephen Mulhern’s rise lies in its unexpectedness and the sheer scale of his success. From his humble beginnings as a magician to becoming ITV’s richest star, Mulhern’s journey is a masterclass in perseverance and strategy. His net worth of £5 million, bolstered by weekly earnings of over £80,000, has left fans in awe, while his surpassing of Bradley Walsh has added a competitive edge to the story. For some, it’s a celebration of hard work paying off, a reminder that even those who start in the background can reach the top. For others, it’s a chance to marvel at the financial rewards of television, a world where talent and business savvy can yield millions. As Mulhern continues to shine on ITV, this moment cements his legacy as a magician-turned-millionaire, proving that sometimes, the most magical trick is the one you play on the industry itself.
