Deal or No Deal presenter and ITV regular Stephen Mulhern, who turns 49 on April 4, is one of the most "reliable" presenters on TV. Unlike other well-known hosts, he isn't fodder for gossip columns, he doesn't put his private life all over the internet, and when he pops up presenting a show, viewers know exactly what to expect from his happy chappie persona, whether he is hosting a quiz show, a reality programme, or just being himself in a travelogue.

In November 2023, I interviewed the London-born star and was very surprised to learn that what you see really is what you get. I interact with a lot of well-known names, and often their public persona is a million miles from who they are off-screen. But Stephen's cheerful, old-school entertainer image is...exactly how he is. He loves making people smile, whether through his work on TV, his magic, or his stints at Butlins.

It may seem odd that someone of his stature would perform in the legendary holiday camps, but he got his start there and hasn't forgotten where he came from - another endearing trait.

I spoke to him because a statue of him was being unveiled at Butlin's Minehead resort, where he used to work. While many people would downplay this part of their career and have fans believe they arrived in the public eye fully formed, he completely credited Butlin's with giving him the grounding he needed for the business.

He described his time there as an apprenticeship and was an advocate for their Redcoat Academy, which currently trains up the next generation of camp entertainers.

He waxed lyrical about what he learned there, how it prepared him to deal with audiences and think on his feet, and how it made him a rounded performer. This was not a celebrity reeling off carefully thought out soundbytes. He spoke with a genuine excitement and affection that I don't always see in interviews.

He also had a reverence for the entertainers and presenters who went before him. He absolutely gushed about telly legend Noel Edmonds, who was the original Deal or No Deal Presenter.

He also had nothing but praise for the former giants of Saturday Night TV, such as Bruce Forsyth and magician Paul Daniels.

It was honestly a delight to speak to him. He wasn't saying things for effect, but instead had a love for old-fashioned, well-rounded entertainment that radiated from him.

It was clear to him that "show business" is more than just a career. He is not in it for the fame or the money. He absolutely loves entertaining people and brightening up their day. We could do with more presenters like that on TV right now.