Stephen Mulhern says he's still 'bruised' after Ricky Hatton 'punched' him on Dancing On Ice

The TV presenter said he 'forgot' that the boxer was a three-time world champion when he agreed to the skit
Tina Campbell24 January 2024
The Weekender

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Stephen Mulhern says he is still in pain a week and a half on after being "punched" by boxer Ricky Hatton as part of a skit on Dancing On Ice.

The TV star, who co-hosts the ITV show with Holly Willoughby, had enlisted Hatton to hold a microphone for him in the style of one a boxing announcer would use. They then pretended to have a disagreement, with Willoughby encouraging Hatton to "just hit him", which he obliged.

However, it appeared the blow was a bit harder than expected, as Mulhern fell to the ground, leaving Willoughby gasping in shock.

The incident had viewers in stitches during the launch show, but it sounds like Mulhern was lucky not to need a few of them himself.

Recalling how it all came about, he told The Sun: “I said to Ricky, do us a favour...Holly will say to you ‘just punch him Ricky’, which she said off the cuff initially and I said ‘we should do that live.

Holly Willoughby gasped as Ricky Hatton sent her co-host Stephen Mulhern flying
ITV

“Obviously I forgot he’s a three-time world champion boxer.”

Despite wearing protective padding to perform the stunt, Mulhern said he still had a large bruise from the encounter.

He added: “He nearly knocked me out. If I showed you the bruise, it is massive. It’s on the arm, it’s very painful.”

After the episode aired, Hatton wrote on X/Twitter: “Ricky even landing knockout blows on @dancingonice! Hope you’re okay @StephenMulhern.”

Mulhern responded to the moment, writing: “I’m already starting to bruise!”

Hatton became the first celebrity to be eliminated form the 2024 edition of the ice dancing competition after he found himself in the skate-off against stand-up comedian and writer Lou Saunders on Sunday.

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