Stephen Mulhern pays tribute to dad during Royal Variety Performance 2024

Stephen Mulhern kicks audience member out of Royal Variety Performance

The festive season is in full swing, and ITV audiences are set for an enchanting evening brimming with dazzling acts from music, theatre, and stand-up circles. Gracing the stage this year as hosts for this glittering affair are the dynamic duo Amanda Holden and Alan Carr, with none other than His Majesty, King Charles III in attendance.

Amanda Holden expressed her elation at the prestigious gig, remarking: "It truly is such an honour to be hosting the Royal Variety Performance this year. I'm still pinching myself! This is a dream job and Alan is a 'true' friend, we are already bursting with ideas and excitement, it's going to be such a fun night!

"I've worked on Britain's Got Talent for 18 years and have been so proud watching all our winners perform for the Royal Family. This year will be no different, so in the words of Sydnie Christmas, let's av it!".

The extravaganza saw Stephen Mulhern casting spells over the audience with his exceptional magic tricks and illusions, though one segment veered into clumsy territory as he requested an accomplice from among the spectators.

As he initiated his performance, Mulhern declared: "I need to show you this, this here is a detonator. Now, let me tell you, when you press this button here, it changes the entire show. It sets off fireworks, it changes the lighting, it changes the music."

Stephen headed into the crowd to get help with his act (Image: ITV)

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Emphasizing the importance of responsible handling, he quipped: "So, we need somebody very responsible to look after this! " With that, he delved into the crowd, scouting for the perfect volunteer to entrust with the crucial detonator.

Stephen playfully singled out an audience member named Adam, bestowing upon him a special role in his performance. The comic explained: "At any moment you see, in my act, something that you think is funny, I want you to press that red button and then fireworks, the whole thing; we're going to turn this show into party time, be very careful, be very responsible."

As Stephen returned to center stage, his act unfolded with a seemingly simple trick of tearing and restoring paper, which held a sentimental backstory, reports the Mirror.

Stephen chose one person in the crowd to help with his trick (Image: ITV)

He shared with the audience: "Now, I know what you're thinking. Why would I do such a small trick here at the Royal Albert Hall in front of millions of people watching at home?"

Revealing the personal significance of the magic trick, Stephen added: "Well, there's a reason I do this trick, I don't want to bring the atmosphere down, but my Grandad taught me how to do this trick when I was just 11 years old. Sadly, my Grandad passed away two weeks ago-".

But it was at that precise heartfelt moment that Adam, misjudging the mood, hit the button. Sudden streamers blasted and bright lights flashed on stage.

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Royal Variety Performance's Stephen Mulhern yells 'stop this' as he escorts audience member out (Image: ITV) window.topArticlesScript="https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/js/dist/article-top-articles20241210.min.js"

A shocked Stephen exclaimed: "Stop this! That was the wrong time my friend! What the hell were you thinking?!".

Without missing a beat, Stephen stepped off the stage, approached Adam, and sternly instructed him to follow: "Come with me, no, come with me. Get out, get out. I'm not joking get out, stay out."

After escorting Adam behind the curtain, Stephen briskly picked up where he had left off in his performance. As his act drew to a close, he paid tribute to his late dad as he said: "That was for you dad."

The Royal Variety Performance is available to watch on ITVX