Popular TV host’s travel documentary renewed for second series after two of his shows were axed

WELL, isn’t this a happy accident? Stephen Mulhern’s travel show will be back with three more specials.

ITV’s Accidental Tourist saw the telly host enlist pals Ant and Dec in a bid to face his fears in exciting new destinations.

Stephen Mulhern’s travel show Accidental Tourist will be back with three more specialsCredit: ITV Normally a man who holidays in Benidorm and lives on beige food, the host is sent by the Geordies jokers to South Korea, where he embarked on the unknown.

Stephen, who is nervous about strange places and unfamiliar food among other things, went on a voyage of discovery, trying everything from naked massages to eating a penis fish.

In a departure from his cheery Saturday night persona, he broke down in tears before taking part in a scary sea dive.

The trip proved such a success that Stephen felt inspired to make big changes in his life.

But since then he’s slipped back into his comfort zone — and Ant and Dec are back on the case to push him out of it once again, with three new episodes, I can reveal.

Stephen said: “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!

“I don’t want to undo the good work I achieved so I’ve asked Ant and Dec to help me again.

“I’m still scared but this time I’m a little excited too!”

Ant said: “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.”

Dec added: “We have a long list of places we’d love him to experience.”

Accidental Tourist aired last month and was watched by 3.4million people, making it ITV’s biggest 9pm factual show launch of the year.

Stephen visited South Korea for the showCredit: Refer to source NOW AND NEVERS FOR ITV THERE were high hopes for supernatural fantasy The Nevers when it launched five years ago – but it faded into the shadows after just one series.

Happy Valley star James Norton played pansexual posh boy Lord Hugo Swann, who runs an orgy club in Victorian London.

The Nevers has been snapped up by ITVCredit: �2021 Home Box Office, Inc. All rights reserved. HBO® and all related channels and servic What more could viewers want?

Well, they’ll have a chance to rediscover this unearthed gem now that ITV has snapped it up.

It was first launched on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in 2021, starring Poldark’s Eleanor Tomlinson and Hot Fuzz actor Nick Frost.

The spooky series is about a host of unassuming people, mainly women, who find themselves with unusual powers and abilities that set them apart.

It falls to mysterious widow Amalia True (Laura Donnelly ), who is highly skilled in combat, and brilliant young inventor Penance Adair (Ann Skelly) to protect and shelter these gifted “orphans”.

The Nevers will launch on ITVX from February 1.

Better late than never, eh?

LARRY’S FORGING AHEAD LARRY LAMB has let slip he will star in a second series of crime drama Art Detectives later this year.

The U&Drama show’s first season saw him play forger Ron – along-side his son DI Mick Palmer, played by True Blood star Stephen Moyer.

Larry Lamb has let slip he will star in a second series of crime drama Art Detectives later this yearCredit: Getty Images – Getty Mick works for the Met Police’s fictional Heritage Crime Unit solving cases of art and jewellery fraud and theft.

On culture podcast Beyond The Title, Larry said of Art Detectives: “That’s coming back in, I think, the latter part of the year.”

Thanks for the update, Larry, we look forward to it.

MAXINE: MAKE US LAUGH DINNERLADIES star Maxine Peake reckons terrestrial television is crying out for new comedies – but she reckons broadcasters aren’t willing to spend the cash.

The actress, who played Twinkle in Victoria Wood’s late-Nineties classic, is dismayed there aren’t more sitcoms on our screens.

She told the Scarred For Life podcast: “There is some good comedy, don’t get me wrong, but I think there’s room for more.

“Comedy budgets are tiny. I think comedy is harder to get commissioned. I mean, I love Alma’s Not Normal and Mandy.  

“I suppose you’d say I May Destroy You was a comedy of sorts. I mean, it’s brilliant. So you’ve got those.

“Then things like Fleabag. I think there are still these iconic shows being made.

“I know there’s so many streaming services now, but I think on terrestrial television, we could do with      some more.”

DAVINA’S FAMILIES PASSION AS Long Lost Family lands back on our screens, Davina McCall has opened up about the emotional connection she has to the show.

Having left viewers in tears with heartwarming reunions for 15 series, Davina says she has a special place in her heart for the show.

Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell are back for Long Lost FamilyCredit: ITV “I lost my sister when I was 44 and she was 50, and whenever I see siblings finding each other, I always think, ‘Oh my God, imagine finding a sibling’, and the joy that would bring.

“When I tell the searcher that their family member has been found – it’s just breathtaking.”

Davina is back with Nicky Campbell for the second half of season 15 on ITV1 on January 15 at 9pm.

SECONDS OUT, ROUND TWO THE second series of Disney + drama A Thousand Blows packs a bloody big punch.

The thriller, about boxing in Victorian gangland East London, sees Malachi Kirby reprise his lead role as fighter Hezekiah Moscow – alongside Stephen Graham as his nemesis Henry “Sugar” Goodson and his brother, Edward “Treacle” Goodson, who is played by James Nelson-Joyce.

Stephen Graham in the second season of A Thousand BlowsCredit: Disney

Malachi Kirby reprises his lead role as fighter Hezekiah MoscowCredit: Disney

Erin Doherty plays Mary Carr, leader of all-female gang Forty ElephantsCredit: Disney Our exclusive shots show Hezekiah’s comeback to the ring, but Sugar’s fortunes take a turn for the worse.

Also returning for the new series will be Erin Doherty as Mary Carr, leader of all-female gang Forty Elephants.