Key Highlights
- Stephen Mulhern’s travel show “Accidental Tourist” renewed for a second series.
- Two of Stephen’s other shows, “Dancing On Ice” and “In For A Penny,” were cancelled in 2024.
- The new episodes aim to reignite Mulhern’s spirit after he returned to his comfort zone post-South Korea trip.
New Episodes of “Accidental Tourist” Planned for 2026
In a surprising turn of events, popular travel documentary host Stephen Mulhern’s show Accidental Tourist has been renewed for a second series. This news comes after two of his other shows, the ice skating competition “Dancing On Ice” and the reality game show “In For A Penny,” were axed in 2024.
The renewal is seen as a significant boost for Mulhern’s career, who had previously taken on a more adventurous persona during his South Korea trip. During that journey, he faced his fears by trying everything from naked massages to eating a penis fish and even braving a scary sea dive, all in the company of Ant and Dec.
South Korea Trip: A Journey Beyond Comfort Zones
The trip proved transformative for Mulhern. In an emotional segment, he broke down in tears before taking part in the sea dive, reflecting on his fears and how these experiences had positively impacted his life. Despite these achievements, Mulhern admitted to slipping back into his comfort zone upon returning home. Ant and Dec, recognizing this trend, have been tasked with pushing him out of his shell once again.
Previous Series’ Challenges
Mulhern’s series “Dancing On Ice” and “In For A Penny” were cancelled in 2024 due to poor ratings. These setbacks have prompted Mulhern to focus on his travel show, which has shown a stronger connection with audiences. The first episode of the new Accidental Tourist series attracted an impressive viewership of 3.4 million people, marking ITV’s biggest factual launch at 9 PM that year.
In a statement to The Sun, Mulhern expressed his gratitude for the positive impact of the trip: “The response to my trip to South Korea has been so overwhelming, and the amount of people that related to the fears I have, has blown me away.
I was so proud of what I achieved that I planned to book a trip to Japan on my return, but what did I do instead? I booked an all-inclusive trip to the Algarve!”
Ant and Dec chimed in: “We loved seeing how much of a positive impact the trip had on his life, but we’ve noticed his old ways creeping back in. We have a long list of places we’d love him to experience.” The duo will once again partner with Mulhern to help him step out of his comfort zone and reignite the adventure spirit that initially captivated viewers.
Timeline and Future Prospects
The new episodes of Accidental Tourist are set to air later in 2026, with Ant and Dec determined to keep Mulhern on his toes. The original travel series is scheduled for a second run, aiming to maintain the high viewership numbers that made it a success.
As Mulhern faces new challenges and opportunities, he remains committed to exploring the world in unexpected ways. With the support of Ant and Dec, fans can expect another thrilling journey from the man who once said “I don’t want to undo the good work I achieved so I’ve asked Ant and Dec to help me again.” Stay tuned for more updates on his adventures.
