Stephen is supporting Text Santa Christmas Jumper Day, which is this year raising money for the Text Santa charities, Macmillan Cancer Support, Make-A-Wish UK and Save the Children, to give hope to families in difficulty at Christmas. To get involved, visit www.itv.com/textsanta
Credit: ITV Text Santa
Q: Why did you want to be part of Text Santa?
A: The reason I like it is that it gives great support to give hope to families in difficulty at Christmas. Also, the whole Christmas jumper idea this year is really clever. The catchline is "Do your bit in a Christmas knit." Whoever thought of jumping on that as a theme is very shrewd. This show really makes a difference. It's lovely to be involved in it. It'll be a fantastic show. I'm so looking forward to it.
Q: What will you be contributing to the show this year?
A: I'll be hosting a special edition of Big Star's Little Star. It's called Big Star's Bigger Stars and features celebrities and their parents. It's going to be very funny. We'll find out secrets about everyone. I think the idea of parents having secrets about their celebrity children is great.
Q: Are you excited that Text Santa is broadcast live?
A: Absolutely. I love the fact that anything can happen on live telly - and nine times out of ten, it does. Also, you can't do it again. Once it's done, it's done. When you pre-record a show, it's very easy to think you can do it again. But when it's going out live, you're constantly on your toes and having to think ahead. I love the adrenaline rush live telly gives you.
Q: Do you have a back-up plan?
A: Yes. Having done a lot of live theatre as a magician, I always have a pack of cards in my breast pocket. So if anything goes wrong, I can always do a trick. If a VT doesn't work, I can fill in like that.
Q: What will you be getting up to at Christmas?
A: I'm in panto. I'm playing Buttons in Cinderella. I love doing panto. I've done it for 13 years now. I really like the fact that it's the first time most people have been to the theatre. I remember adoring it when I was growing up. I have very fond memories of going to see Matthew Kelly in Mother Goose - it was a wonderful experience. Panto is just a lovely tradition.
Q: What would you like for Christmas?
A: I'm getting old, so the only thing I'd like is an electric toothbrush because my current one is broken! Until last year, my mum would give us blank VHS tapes to record stuff on. I had to say to her, "Look, none of us have got a VHS player anymore!" I don't know where she bought those tapes!
Q: Do you love Christmas?
A: Yes. I'm very fortunate that both my parents are still here. I've got two brothers and a sister, and Christmas is the only real time we have the chance to get together as a whole family. I have four nephews and a niece, and the irony is they often get more fun out of blowing bubbles than playing with more expensive presents. It's really nice when you see them enjoying stuff that isn't all about money. Our Christmas is very noisy. But I love it!
Tagged in Stephen Mulhern