Stephen Mulhern's forgotten romance with EastEnders star after they met in Panto

Stephen Mulhern is regarded as one of the most-loved and respected TV presenters in the UK.

However, the 47-year-old star - who is currently single - has kept his personal life incredibly secret over the years.

He previously dated EastEnders actress Emma Barton, who plays Honey Mitchell in the BBC soap, but they split in 2011. 

The two first met in 2008 when they were both cast in the Snow White pantomime at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury. 

Emma played the lead role of Snow White, while Stephen portrayed Muddles, court jester to the Queen and Snow White's best friend. 

Inside Stephen Mulhern's forgotten romance with EastEnders star Emma Barton after they met in Panto

It comes after Josie Gibson was caught holding hands with fellow TV star Stephen outside the BBC studios on Saturday

When their relationship ended, without ever admitting that they were an item, Stephen said his time with Emma came to a 'natural end'.

Emma was previously married to lawyer lawyer Nigel Stoat between 2002 and 2005. 

She is now in a relationship with music producer Jason Perry, who she often shares loved-up snaps with to her social media. 

Since then, Stephen has said in an interview with Celebs Now: 'Last time I went on a date was about four years ago. That makes me sound really sad! I need a life. I need to stop working so much.'

It comes after Josie Gibson was caught holding hands with fellow TV star Stephen outside the BBC studios on Saturday.

The This Morning presenter and the magician were filming Ant And Dec 's final Saturday Night Takeaway when the sweet, yet brief, moment happened.

And asked about their relationship status. Josie, 39, told MailOnline: 'I'm in love with Stephen Mulhern. There you go.

'But story of my life, I don't think he loves me.'

He dated Emma, who plays Honey Mitchell in the BBC soap, but they split in 2011

Emma is now in a relationship with music producer Jason Perry, who she often shares loved-up snaps with to her social media

Stephen, 47, and Josie have been friends for some time and perhaps he is unaware of her feelings for him.

The two appear to get on very well and looked relaxed in one another's company. Stephen wearing a navy jacket and jeans over a crisp white T-shirt. 

Josie was wearing a camouflage jacket and mint green T-shirt, with her strawberry blonde locks styled in a rock star quiff. 

Last year, Josie said she was in the early stages of a romance, saying: 'There is someone in my life at the moment but it's early stages...I've said I love you.

'It's best to just get it out of the way, I don't like playing games.'

Fans were convinced that she was dating camera man Sam Porter after she shared a picture of them holding hands while on a job in Paris but she said they were just friends and she was once again single. 

Josie was last linked to cameraman Sam Porter when she shared these sweet pictures of them together in Paris in 2023 but in August, she shut down the rumours  

Morover, Josie, 38, split from her plumber Luke in 2015 after their relationship turned passionless, calling off a three-year engagement (Josie and Luke pictured in 2014)

Josie has said she is happy to remain single to focus on her little boy, Reggie, who is five years old 

Clearing up the speculation, she later said: 'I am not in a relationship, neither am I in love with cameraman Sam. I am not with Sam Morter.. I love Sam Morter, he is my work colleague, I'm like his older sister. I'm like his auntie. That's as far as it goes.'

Josie has said she wants to spend her time with her son Reggie, five. She split from his dad, property developer Terry, when their son was just five months old. 

Before that. she was engaged to plumber Luke Sanwo, but they split in 2015, following a five-year romance.