Accidental Tourist with Stephen Mulhern and Ant & Dec is getting more specials
Three more specials have been commissioned!
Last updated 9th Jan 2026
With Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway now on a hiatus, fans were worried it would be a while before the loveable Geordie presenters would work alongside their close friend Stephen Mulhern again, but that wasn't the case!
Ant and Dec teamed up with good friend Stephen for a brand new travel show called Accidental Tourist in December 2025, and it became an immediate hit with viewers, who said they were 'glued to it'.
Will there be more episodes of Accidental Tourist?
Although Accidental Tourist was meant to be a one-off special, ITV/STV bosses announced on 8th January 2026 that they have now commissioned the show for three additional specials.
The new episodes will see Stephen Mulhern enlist the help of long time friends Ant and Dec in a bid to face more of his fears and phobias in some exciting new destinations.
Speaking of the news, Stephen Mulhern said: “The response to my trip to South Korea has been so overwhelming and the amount of people that related to the worries and 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!
“I don’t want to undo the good work I achieved so I’ve asked Ant and Dec to help me again. I need that little loving shove in the right direction, otherwise I fear I'll slip back into my old ways. I’m still scared but this time I’m a little excited too, I know I can do this…. Or at least give it a good go!”
Ant added: “We are so proud of Stephen, we never thought he would accomplish what he did in South Korea - if we’re honest, we weren't even sure he’d get on the plane! 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… so when he said he was up for another trip, we were only too happy to oblige.
With Dec saying: “Unbeknown to Stephen, we have a long list of places we’d love him to experience that will hopefully help him get over more of his fears and phobias, which we know he’s keen to try and conquer. We can’t wait to see what he will accomplish during his next adventures!”
What will happen in the new specials?
Co-produced by South Shore and Mitre Studios, the next three specials will see Stephen once again leave his creature comforts behind and embark on the unknown.
ITV/STV say: 'Travelling to South Korea opened Stephen’s eyes to a brand new culture, but there is still a long way to go. The trip proved such a success that Stephen made some much needed changes to his life back in the UK, but he’s slipping back into his old ways.
'Not wanting to undo the impressive progress he'd already made during his trip to South Korea, Stephen has decided he needs to spread his wings further and who better to help once again than his close pals Ant and Dec. With their support, further encouragement from his family and a little help from social media, Stephen will again find himself thrust into the unknown as he attempts to navigate unfamiliar territories in the hope to quell some of his life limiting phobias.'
What is Accidental Tourist?
The special, which first aired in December 2025, saw Ant and Dec sending Stephen off to a number of exotic locations, where he tries new foods and to push himself out of his comfort zone in an attempt to 'broaden his horizons'.
The show's synopsis stated: 'In an effort to help to test his resolve and push his boundaries. Stephen will encounter epic locations, exotic cultures and cuisines, incredible people and places and exhilarating activities he would never have chosen for himself.'
Following the show airing on Sunday 14th December, Stephen reacted to his fans' messages, taking to X to say: 'I still can’t believe all the messages coming in about Accidental Tourist! I’m genuinely lost for words… If you haven’t seen what I got up to in South Korea yet, you really will not believe it! Watch now on @ITVX!'
Is there a trailer?
The first trailer was released on Monday 24th November, alongside the caption: ' ✈️ The trip is booked
'👜 The bags are packed
'🛂 The passport is ready
'🕺 The time of a lifetime? Still TBD
'Join Ant & Dec, and Stephen Mulhern in Accidental Tourist, coming to ITV1 and ITVX, 14th December'. (sic)
There's no trailers for the new specials just yet.
When is it on TV?
The first special aired at 9pm on Sunday 14th December.
No dates have been announced for any future shows at the moment.
How can I watch it?
You can watch the episode on ITVX and STV Player now.
Check out Ant and Dec's impressive career below:
Ant & Dec in Byker Grove: 1989
In 1989, Dec landed a part on BBC children's drama Byker Grove, playing Duncan. A year later Ant was cast as PJ – and thus, PJ and Duncan was born.
Ant & Dec's friendship blossomed: 1990
Ant previously revealed his friendship with Dec started in 1990, when he sent him a Christmas card and invited him to a football match.
He said, "And that was that. It just happened immediately. We clicked. We'd spend all day making each other laugh and annoying everyone and quoting Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer lines to each other."
When their parts were written out of Byker Grove, the boys vowed to stick together. Dec told Weekend magazine, "We made a pact. We said to each other, 'Look, whatever happens, I'll always be there for you and you're never in this life on your own or against the world – you've always got a mate looking out for you."
Dec said, "It's our choice to socialise outside work. And we both get to go to work with our best mate every day. And that keeps our feet on the ground" as Ant added, "We love each other, definitely."
Ant and Dec's children's TV shows: 1994
Another career change for the boys came in 1994, when they began as co-presenters of children's show Gimme 5 on CITV. Just a year later they landed their own programme, The Ant & Dec Show, this time on CBBC.
Ant and Dec's pop career: 1994
It wasn't just acting for the boys: PJ & Duncan were pop stars for a while, and became best known for their 1994 UK top 10 'Let's Get Ready to Rhumble'. After the pair performed it on Saturday Night Takeaway, the song went to Number 1 in March 2013.
Their last studio album, The Cult of Ant and Dec, was released in 1997, managing to chart at number 15.
Ant and Dec on SMTV: 1998
This kicked off their kids' TV careers, and landed them their first BAFTA Awards.
After various other presenting gigs, Ant & Dec started hosting ITV's Saturday morning shows SMTV and CD:UK, alongside Cat Deeley, in 1998.
Ant and Dec on Pop Idol: 2001
But, in 2001, they made the move from Saturday morning to prime time – for a little show called Pop Idol... They presented Pop Idol for two years, before it replaced with The X Factor and Kate Thornton took over.
Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway: 2002
This gave them the opportunity to create and present Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, which has since had 18 series, with series 19 airing in February 2023.
Ant and Dec on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!: 2002
In 2002, a year after Saturday Night Takeaway's debut, the boys joined I'm a Celebrity and have become huge parts of the show. In 2018, Ant decided not to host the show, and This Morning's Holly Willoughby stepped in to present with Dec.
Ant and Dec in Love Actually: 2003
Ant and Dec had become such huge names in the UK in 2003, that director Richard Curtis invited them to have cameos in Love Actually, where they cautiously interview Bill Nighy's character, Billy Mack who hilariously calls Dec 'Ant or Dec'.
Ant and Dec on Britain's Got Talent: 2006
Establishing themselves as the busiest presenters in the country, Ant & Dec signed up for Britain's Got Talent in 2006 – and a year later signed a two-year golden handcuffs deal with ITV, which was thought to be worth £40 million and have been hosting the show ever since.
The boys have presented the hit show ever since, with a brand new series starting in April 2024.
Ant marries Lisa Armstrong: 2006
Ant married his long-term girlfriend Lisa Armstrong in 2006, with Dec acting as best man. Sadly, the marriage ended in 2018.
Dec marries Ali Astall: 2015
In 2015, Dec married his longtime manager Ali Astall with Ant acting as best man - of course. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Isla in September 2018.
Ant and Dec awarded OBEs: 2017
Ant and Dec were awarded OBEs in the 2017 Queen's honours for services to broadcasting and entertainment at Buckingham Palace. They said, "We're humbled and honoured and ecstatic about the whole thing. We hope it can inspire young people from backgrounds like ours that things like this do happen to us sometimes. Put your head down and work hard and you can achieve what you want. You can end up in Buckingham Palace."
Ant's addiction struggles: 2017
In 2015, Ant was prescribed painkillers for botched surgery on his knee. Over the next two years, he became dependent on the drugs and on alcohol. In 2017, he entered rehab to deal with his addictions, and returned to work in the November.
However, in March 2018, he was involved in a three-car road collision which involved a young family. He was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, and pleaded guilty in court in April. He was fined £86,000 and banned from driving for 20 months, and stepped down from his TV duties in August 2018, returning in January 2019.
Ant and Dec's National Television Awards record: 2019
Among their numerous gongs, Ant & Dec have received the National Television Award for Best Presenter for 18 years running. They were also awarded a Guinness World Record for the most wins of the award in January 2019.
Ant and Dec's DNA Journey: 2019
Ant & Dec took us on an emotional rollercoaster with their genealogy show, Ant & Dec's DNA Journey. The two-parter saw the Geordie boys go back in time to discover all about their families - and even ended up being distantly related to each other!
I'm A Celebrity in Wales: 2020
Despite the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, Ant and Dec were able to present the 2020 series of I'm A Celebrity from Gwrych Castle in North Wales!
The boys returned in November for the 2021 series.
Ant marries Anne-Marie Corbett: 2021
Ant married his former PA Anne-Marie Corbett at St Michael's Church in Heckfield in Hampshire on Saturday 7th August, surrounded by their close family and friends.
In May 2024, Ant and Anne-Marie welcomed their first child together, a baby boy called Wilder Patrick.
The duo announce a new children's book
In November 2021, Ant and Dec announced that they had written a children's book titled 'Propa Happy'. The book will be published on 26th May 2022 with all proceeds going to the NSPCC.
Published by Farshore, the book is described as a fun-filled guide to feeling good for children aged 7+, packed with games, jokes, anecdotes, challenges and quizzes to make kids smile.
Ant & Dec's Limitless Win
In January 2022, the boys launched their brand new game show Limitless Win. The game featured the world's first ever limitless jackpot, as well as a money ladder that never ends! The show returned in January 2025 for series four, and now bosses have confirmed its been renewed for two more series in 2026 and 2027!
Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway wins at the 2022 BAFTA TV Awards
On 8th May 2022, Ant and Dec secured another win under their belts as Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway won the Entertainment Programme category.
Ant & Dec win NTA for 21st time
Despite not being able to attend to 2022 National Television Awards due to having COVID-19, Ant and Dec once again won the award for Best Presenter, making it 21 years in a row!
I'm A Celeb returns to Australia
After a two-year break from filming in Australia due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Ant and Dec returned to the jungle on Sunday 6th November for the 2022 series of I'm A Celeb. The 2023 series returned on 19th November 2023.
I'm A Celeb: South Africa
After years of rumours, Ant and Dec finally revealed in 2022 that they'd filmed an All Stars series of I'm A Celeb, called I'm A Celeb: South Africa! The boys filmed the series in 2022, with the show airing on ITV in April 2023.
It's now been announced the show will return for a second series, due to air in 2026.
Ant and Dec announce update for Saturday Night Takeaway
In May 2023, Ant and Dec announced the 2024 series of Saturday Night Takeaway would be their last for a while. The duo told fans that the show takes up a lot of their year and they want to 'give it a little rest'.
Ant and Dec confirm they are rebooting Byker Grove
Byker Grove fans were over the moon in July 2023 when the pair announced plans to reboot the hit series! Acting as Executive Producers for the rebooted Byker, the pair confirmed the show will 'engage with a new generation of teenagers navigating the different challenges faced by young adults today'.
Ant & Dec win NTA for 22nd year in a row
Keeping up tradition, Ant and Dec were once again crowned the winners in the Best Presenter category at the 2023 National Television Awards, making it 22 years in a row. The pair attended the ceremony and thanked fans in their acceptance speech.
Ant & Dec sign off from Saturday Night Takeaway after 20 series
Ant & Dec finished Saturday Night Takeaway on the 13th April 2024 for the last time. They were joined by many special guests, including Girls Aloud and McFly.
Ant & Dec win NTA for 23rd year in a row
Despite having tough competition from the likes of Alison Hammond, Bradley Walsh, Stacey Solomon and Claudia Winkleman, Ant and Dec once again won Best Presenter at the 2024 National Television Awards, making it 23 years in a row! Their run of wins came to an end in 2025 though, when Gary Lineker took home the award.
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