Gemma Collins and partner 'not speaking' after she loses money on Rolling In it
Stephen Mulhern returns with Saturday night game show Rolling In It, where contestants answer questions then roll a coin, helped or hindered by celebrity guests
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Stephen Mulhern, 43, is back on a nailbiting new quiz – where contestants and stars win or lose a fortune with the roll of a giant coin.
It’s a game of chance as winning a big cash prize is all down to the roll of a coin. The three contestants, who are each paired with a celebrity guest, are challenged with multiple choice general knowledge questions.
If they get the answer right, they have to roll a coin down a moving conveyor belt towards slots which are labelled with large cash sums.
What they don’t want to do though, is land on the ‘Bankrupt’ slots, or they lose the lot. As the game moves on, the sums of money keep getting larger – but so do the penalties.
Stephen says: ‘The contestants get really competitive. I was keen for the questions to be multiple choice and broad because it needs to be fun, and you need to give people a chance.
'Besides, I'm not very good at general knowledge either! The best fun is when the cash builds up and you don't know whether they're going to lose it all or go home Rolling In It.'
We quizzed Stephen on TV, fame and lockdown...
You’ve hosted a string of successful game shows. How’s this different?
I think it’s one of the most exciting game shows for a long time. I remember when Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? launched and there was a massive buzz. This is the same.
The tension is mad. And let’s face it, it’s been a long lockdown, so to have something new to watch is a gift. And it involves large sums of free money, so why not?
Celebrities and members of the public team up in pairs. How does that work?
I love the dynamic you get between the celeb and the punter. If they get nervous or worried, they can pass the buck. I prefer working with normal people to stars, hands down. I’m a people person and love chatting to them.
We bet you get recognised all the time…
When I go into the supermarket, some people genuinely think they know me. A bloke came up to me recently thinking he’d been to school with me. I never point out that I’m off the telly. I just said, ‘Maybe you’re confusing me with someone...’
Then a van driver went past yesterday, and was like, ‘Stephen where’s the glittery gold jacket?’ But I love it! And I’d never say no to a selfie.
Did you have to film without a studio audience, or socially distanced?
No, fortunately, we got the filming in just before lockdown. But I’ve filmed the new series of Catchphrase without an audience.
I was a bit worried how it would work but it wasn’t that bad. The contestants preferred it as they didn’t feel so self-conscious about giving the wrong answer or feeling embarrassed, and they felt they could be more like themselves.
You’re reportedly one of TV’s biggest earners. What do you spend it on?
I like to be able to support my family however I can. My parents worked hard as market traders, but we didn’t have loads of money growing up. I have two brothers who have kids and a sister.
Every year, we all go away together on one big holiday. But that didn’t happen this year, so we did things like drop nice food hampers off at their houses. I’m also lucky enough to own a second home by the sea which I can escape to and relax.
You must have loads of showbiz mates. How do you keep it real?
My family keep me grounded. And my best mates Gareth and Paul are from my school days. My TV friends include Ant and Dec and Emma Willis.
We’re a pretty tight crew who work together – which includes the producers, make up artists etc too. It’s nice to work with the same people again and again.
I don’t think I’ve been swallowed up by the TV world. I like to stay focused, work hard but have breaks for my own time too.
Who was your favourite celebrity guest on Rolling In It?
Jimmy Carr. Sometimes when you get another comedian on, it can get competitive for the laughs. But Jimmy was brilliant. He was such a laugh – you know you’re winning when you hear that laugh. He really got into the game as well.
Then we had Gemma Collins. Her game partner was on a good roll. He trusted her to make a couple of decisions... I don’t know why.
Anyway, they lost their money. I don’t know what went on after the show – I don’t think they were even speaking. I kept away from their dressing room.
Did you watch the ITV drama about the scandal on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Yes I did! It was great. Do I worry about scandal hitting my shows? Nah! Touch wood...
When I was rolling in it
‘I think I hit the big time when I got my first job at Butlins aged 18,’ reveals Stephen. ‘I was on holiday there with my family and one of the acts failed to show up, so I stepped in.
'That really was my lucky break. It enabled me to earn my stripes then get a job on Saturday morning TV, then from that I’ve gone on to BGT and other big game shows. I’m so lucky to do my job, it’s a dream.’
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