Royal Variety Performance’s Stephen Mulhern shouts ‘cease this’ as viewers member escorted out
The Royal Variety Performance yesterday took a dramatic turn as an audience member thought it would be a good idea to take the mick of a matter very close to Stephen Mulhern’s heart
Stephen Mulhern performed magic at the Royal Variety Performance yesterday and gave a touching tribute to both his dad and his grandad — but things took a dramatic turn when a senseless audience member decided to take the mick of Stephen’s loss.
The annual programme was presented this year by Amanda Holden and Alan Carr and attended by King Charles III. Stephen Mulhern, presenter and magician, was on stage performing a seemingly small-scale trick — tearing up little pieces of paper before miraculously making them whole again.
Before kicking off his act, he said: “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.
“So, we need somebody very responsible to look after this!” Heading off into the crowd, Stephen walked around until he found the perfect candidate to look after the detonator.
READ MORE: Max George begs heart monitor to ‘go up’ in hospital footage, but it does something unexpected
Stephen gave the man, whose name was Adam, the device and said: “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.”
Back onto the stage, Stephen began his act. He then explained why he chose the trick.
Stephen said: “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?
“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.”
Then, in a moment of sheer madness, Adam decided that was the time to push the detonator, causing streamers to go off on stage with bright lights.
Stephen yelled: “Stop this! That was the wrong time my friend! What the hell were you thinking?!”
Stephen ran into the crowd to collect Adam from his seat. He said: “Come with me, no, come with me. Get out, get out. I’m not joking, get out, stay out.” Stephen then put Adam behind the curtain before continuing with his act.
Stephen also lost his beloved father recently and the Royal Variety Performance, in front of millions of people watching at home, was the first time he has spoken publicly about his loss.
He finished his performance by simply saying: “That was for you, dad.”
For more of the latest showbiz and TV news from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up for one of our newsletters here.
