Stephen Mulhern says classic 1954 book turned hit film series ‘left him cold’

Importance Score: 25 / 100 🔵

Stephen Mulhern, a beloved TV personality celebrated for his quick wit and captivating magic tricks, is a familiar face in British households thanks to his appearances on popular shows like Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, Catchphrase, and Britain’s Got More Talent. Despite his widespread appeal, Mulhern recently revealed a surprising aversion to a classic literary work.

Stephen Mulhern’s Rise to Fame

The 48-year-old entertainer’s passion for magic propelled him to prominence. He captivated audiences throughout the ’90s, initially on the Disney Channel, and later on CITV. There, he created a memorable partnership with Holly Willoughby on Saturday Showdown. Furthermore, Mulhern has a recurring role on ITV’s Deal Or No Deal and took over from Phillip Schofield on Dancing On Ice.

The Book That “Left Him Cold”

In a frank discussion, the presenter confessed to disliking one particular book, a revelation that may astonish many of his fans.

Stephen admitted that despite attempting to read it, he ultimately abandoned J.R.R. Tolkien’s celebrated 1954 novel, The Lord of the Rings.

Mulhern Prefers Humour and Mysteries

Speaking to the Daily Mail, when questioned about which book “left him cold,” he disclosed, “The Lord Of The Rings — it wasn’t my cup of tea.”

“I appreciate that there’s a wide variety of books available—something to satisfy every reader. However, I will always favour humour and mysteries.”

The Lord of the Rings: A Literary Phenomenon

The Lord of the Rings, set in the Third Age of Middle-earth, is a sequel to Tolkien’s earlier work, The Hobbit (1937), and was followed by the posthumously published The Silmarillion (1977). The narrative depicts a group of heroes, some reluctant, who embark on a quest to protect their world from ultimate evil.

The Film Adaptations

The acclaimed fantasy book series was adapted into a successful film franchise, beginning on December 10, 2001.

The Fellowship of the Ring

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring featured Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins and Ian McKellen as Gandalf.

Subsequent Films

The series continued with The Two Towers in 2002 and The Return of the King in 2003.


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