Cliff Notes – ITV forced to halt filming of Stephen Mulhern show after fire on set
- Filming of Stephen Mulhern’s game show You Bet! was paused due to a fire on set, reportedly caused by a car igniting and spreading to crew vans, resulting in significant equipment damage.
- Emergency services responded promptly, with two fire engines extinguishing the blaze; fortunately, no injuries were reported, and filming is set to resume shortly.
ITV forced to halt filming of Stephen Mulhern show after fire on set
Stephen Mulhern’s new show had to pause filming due to a fire. Filming of Stephen Mulhern’s game show You Bet! was brought to a halt due to a fire on set.
The Saturday Night Takeaway and Dancing On Ice host, 48, was working on the ITV show in Yorkshire at the time, shooting a special Emmerdale segment.
It’s been reported that a car burst into flames, with the fire spreading to prop vans used by crew members.
As a result, thousands of pounds worth of equipment went up in smoke.
According to MailOnline, two fire engines were called to the scene.
An eyewitness described what unfolded as ‘carnage’
A TV truck set alight along with another vehicle while filming for You Bet! took place (Picture: Ben Lack Photography Ltd)
The blaze destroyed thousands of pounds worth of equipment
‘The blaze just started from a random vehicle, which then resulted in vans used by the crew also going up in flames,’ they explained.
‘There was obvious panic, and it’s a miracle nobody was harmed.’
It’s said the fire started ‘within close proximity to the soap,’ but thankfully, it didn’t spread inside where filming actually happens.
Speaking after the incident, a spokesperson for You Bet! also said: ‘Following an incident that was unrelated to filming, production for You Bet! was suspended as a precaution.
‘The situation was promptly assessed by the fire services, and no one was injured or affected.
‘The health and safety of all individuals involved in the making of the programme remains our highest priority.’
Fortunately, no one was injured
Also confirming their attendance to the matter, a spokesperson for West Yorkshire Fire Service explained that they were called to ‘reports of a small vehicle on fire on Harewood Avenue’ at 3:57pm on Friday.
On the arrival of their two crews, the fires were extinguished. The cause has been recorded as accidental.
Photos from the scene illustrate the extent of the damage, showing how the blaze completely destroyed what was inside the trucks.
The set was located on the grounds of Harewood House in Leeds, with Mulhern there to record a challenge to appear in the upcoming series.
Filming of the programme – which is a revival of the original format, which first aired in 1988 – will continue this week.
In August 2024, ITV announced that Mulhern and Holly Willoughby would front two special episodes of You Bet!, in which a celebrity panel bets on the ability of members of the public to accomplish typically unlikely challenges and stunts.
Mulhern will be back for the new series later this year.
Co-host Holly Willoughby quit the gig in March
It was later revealed that Catchphrase host Mulhern would host the next full series solo, with Willoughby having quit in March.
The reboot will comprise seven episodes and a Christmas special, but, in a twist to the format, each will be filmed in different locations across the country.
An ITV spokesman said previously about the switch-up: ‘Free from the restrictions of the studio, our epic challenges are about to get a whole lot bigger.
‘Watching on, our celebrity panel’s job is simple; they must decide if each challenger will succeed – yes or no. If they guess correctly, they’ll be awarded points.
‘The Celebrity with the most points at the end of the show will receive £5,000 for their chosen charity.’
You Bet! will be aptly renamed You Bet! On Tour for the upcoming series, and bosses are hoping Willoughby will be up for returning at some point as a guest panellist.
Bosses hope that she might return to sit on the celebrity panel
Other famous panel members will include Zoe Ball, Rob Beckett, Alex Brooker, Rylan Clark, Alesha Dixon, Alison Hammond, and Danny Jones.
Speaking ahead of its release, Mulhern – who recently left his lucrative role at Butlin’s – expressed his excitement: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled that YouBet! is back – and this time we’re hitting the road!
‘Each week, I’ll be joined by a top celeb panel as our challengers take on some brilliantly bonkers and amazing challenges.
‘With the title of You Bet Champion on the line, it’s going to be unbelievable from the start.’
You Bet! was originally hosted by Sir Bruce Forsyth from 1988 to 90, before Matthew Kelly took over from 1991 to 1995. Darren Day then hosted from 1996 to 1997.