VIRAL: Fans Question Stephen Mulhern’s Sexuality After Josie Gibson Kiss — What’s the Truth?
A recent viral moment has sent the internet into a frenzy, with fans speculating about Stephen Mulhern’s sexuality after reports surfaced claiming he was seen kissing This Morning presenter Josie Gibson. The alleged kiss, combined with their hand-holding incident backstage at Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway in April 2024, has sparked a wave of rumors and social media chatter. Some fans are questioning whether Mulhern, a famously private TV star, is hiding something about his personal life. This article examines the rumors, the context of the alleged kiss, public reactions, and the responses from both Mulhern and Gibson, aiming to separate fact from speculation.
The Viral Moment: A Kiss or Misunderstanding?
The latest buzz began when posts on X claimed that Stephen Mulhern, 47, was spotted kissing Josie Gibson, 39, in a moment that appeared to reignite romance rumors from earlier in 2024. However, no credible media outlets or photographic evidence have confirmed this kiss, raising doubts about its authenticity. The rumors seem to stem from a misinterpretation of their close friendship, amplified by their well-documented hand-holding moment in April 2024 outside BBC Studios during the Saturday Night Takeaway finale. An X post from April 2024 by @superTV247, stating, “Apparently Stephen Mulhern and Josie Gibson are dating omg,” reflects the initial excitement that fueled these speculations.
The hand-holding incident, captured in photographs, was analyzed by body language experts who suggested it didn’t appear platonic, leading to widespread speculation about a romance. However, both Mulhern and Gibson have consistently denied any romantic involvement, with no reports confirming a kiss. The viral claim of a kiss appears to be an exaggeration or fabrication, possibly sparked by fans’ desire for a love story between the two ITV stars or by misreadings of their playful on-screen chemistry.
Fans’ Speculation About Mulhern’s Sexuality
The unverified kiss rumor has led some fans to question Stephen Mulhern’s sexuality, with posts on X suggesting he might be “hiding something.” These speculations are not new; Mulhern’s private nature and limited public discussion of his romantic life have occasionally prompted rumors about his sexual orientation. However, there is no concrete evidence to support claims that Mulhern is anything other than heterosexual, and such speculation often stems from his reluctance to share personal details rather than any specific actions.
Mulhern’s romantic history includes a high-profile relationship with EastEnders actress Emma Barton from 2008 to 2011, which began during a pantomime production of Snow White. In a 2018 interview with Celebs Now, he admitted he hadn’t dated in four years, citing his busy career as a barrier to romance. More recently, in July 2024, Mulhern was photographed with a mystery brunette at a Kylie Minogue concert in Hyde Park, further suggesting his interest in women, though no relationship was confirmed. These instances, combined with his professional demeanor, provide no basis for questioning his sexuality beyond idle gossip.
The speculation about Mulhern’s sexuality may also reflect a broader cultural tendency to scrutinize public figures who maintain privacy, especially when paired with a high-profile moment like the Gibson rumors. Social media platforms like X amplify such discussions, with fans projecting their assumptions onto ambiguous interactions. However, without verifiable evidence, these claims remain speculative and potentially invasive.
Josie Gibson’s Stance on Romance and the Rumors
Josie Gibson, known for her warmth and humor on This Morning, has been at the center of the rumor mill since the hand-holding incident. When initially questioned by MailOnline in April 2024, she jokingly said, “I’m in love with Stephen Mulhern. There you go. But story of my life, I don’t think he loves me.” She later clarified in an OK! Magazine interview that they are “really good friends” with “no romance in the air,” expressing frustration at media assumptions about her love life. “Every bloke that I come in contact with, the press seems to think that I’m having it off with them. People must think I’m a right goer. I’m not like that,” she said.
Gibson has been open about her cautious approach to romance, stating she only falls in love “once every seven or eight years” and needs a deep emotional connection to even kiss someone. Her past relationships, including a romance with Big Brother co-star John James Parton, an engagement to plumber Luke Sanwo, and a brief relationship with ex-partner Terry (with whom she shares son Reggie), have been marked by heartbreak, making her wary of new entanglements. In May 2024, she told The Standard, “I am so single it’s ridiculous. I don’t message anybody, I don’t text anybody. I haven’t even got anybody I fancy.” Her consistent denials and emphasis on her single status suggest the kiss rumor is unfounded.
Stephen Mulhern’s Response and Private Life
Stephen Mulhern addressed the romance rumors directly during a May 2024 appearance on This Morning, where hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard teased him about the hand-holding photo. He dismissed the speculation, saying, “Listen, she didn’t turn up to rehearsals, I held her hand and I showed her where to stand. That is it. Finito!” His playful frustration, coupled with a quip of “Why are you doing this to me?” underscored his desire to move past the gossip.
Mulhern’s private nature has long been a hallmark of his public persona. Despite his fame as the host of Deal or No Deal and Dancing on Ice, he rarely discusses his personal life. In an August 2024 interview with The Sun, he made a rare comment about his sex life, saying, “Not enough!” when asked how much sex he has, indicating a lighthearted acknowledgment of his single status. His focus on career and family, especially following the death of his father in 2024 and a health scare that saw him collapse at a restaurant, has kept his personal life out of the headlines. The lack of confirmed details about his relationships fuels speculation, but it also reflects his deliberate choice to maintain boundaries.
The Role of Media and Fan Culture
The viral nature of the kiss rumor highlights the power of social media and fan culture in shaping narratives about celebrities. The absence of photographic or video evidence for the alleged kiss suggests it may be a fabrication or misinterpretation, yet the story gained traction due to the public’s fascination with Mulhern and Gibson’s chemistry. Their frequent collaborations on ITV shows, combined with their likable personalities, make them an easy target for romantic speculation. However, the leap from a rumored kiss to questioning Mulhern’s sexuality reveals how quickly gossip can escalate into invasive assumptions.
Media outlets have also played a role in perpetuating the rumors. While some, like The Mirror and Daily Mail, reported Gibson’s denials and Mulhern’s clarifications, others sensationalized the hand-holding incident with headlines implying a romance. The lack of new evidence since May 2024, coupled with Gibson’s December 2024 comments to The Mirror about prioritizing her son Reggie over romance, suggests the story has been overblown.
Addressing Sexuality Rumors
Speculation about Stephen Mulhern’s sexuality is not supported by any credible evidence and appears to be a byproduct of his private lifestyle and the recent Gibson rumors. Questioning someone’s sexual orientation based on unverified claims or a single interaction is both unfair and speculative. Mulhern’s past relationship with Emma Barton, his reported sighting with a mystery brunette, and his own comments about his romantic life align with a heterosexual identity, though he has no obligation to disclose personal details to satisfy public curiosity.
It’s also worth noting that such rumors can perpetuate harmful stereotypes, implying that privacy or close friendships must conceal something. Mulhern’s friendship with Gibson, like his past on-screen moments with Holly Willoughby (including a playful kiss during a 2000s Saturday Showdown episode), reflects his warm and engaging personality, not a hidden agenda.
Conclusion: No Kiss, No Cover-Up
As of June 2025, the viral claim that Stephen Mulhern was seen kissing Josie Gibson lacks substantiation, with no photos, videos, or reliable reports to back it up. The rumor appears to have grown from their April 2024 hand-holding moment, which both stars have explained as a friendly gesture. Fans’ doubts about Mulhern’s sexuality are equally unfounded, rooted in speculation rather than evidence. Both Mulhern and Gibson have been clear about their platonic friendship, with Gibson emphasizing her single status and Mulhern focusing on his career and personal challenges.
The public’s fascination with their relationship reflects their popularity as TV personalities, but it also underscores the need for caution when consuming viral gossip. Stephen Mulhern isn’t hiding anything—he’s simply living his life away from the spotlight, and Josie Gibson is doing the same. Until concrete evidence emerges, the kiss and sexuality rumors remain just that: rumors.