Josie Gibson and Stephen Mulhern's bond after romance rumours

Josie Gibson held hands with Stephen Mulhern after Saturday Night Takeaway's exit party, sparking much excitement in the celebrity world.

Everyone wants to know the same thing: Are they the new hottest daytime TV couple? Is it serious?

Asked about their relationship, the This Morning presenter only fanned the flames of the fire of the rumours as Gibson said she was in love with Mulhern. She teased MailOnline saying: "I'm in love with Stephen Mulhern. There you go. But story of my life, I don't think he loves me."

What people loved was how open Gibson was about her love life on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here – even comparing her exes to snakes. "Snakes I'm quite good with actually, I fell in love with enough of them," she said in a piece to camera as she prepared to head into the jungle in Oz. A lot of people at home can relate.

Gibson had even initially hoped First Dates star Fred Siriex would be able to set her up with someone suitable but the pair ended up clashing a lot in the jungle over the cooking and the matchmaking never come to fruition.

In stark contrast to her openness about looking for love, Mulhern has kept his romantic life out of the headlines where possible. Occasionally, he has touched upon his love life and once admitted in 2018 that he hadn't been on a date in four years.

Gibson and Mulhern are two huge stars and they hang out in the same circles in the UK TV circuit. Their paths have crossed in the entertainment world and they have become good friends as well as sharing some of the same friends including Holly Willoughby.

Saturday Night Takeaway

Most recently, Gibson and Mulhern both starred in the last episode of Saturday Night Takeaway together. Of course Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly fronted the finale, as well as inviting guest stars to appear on the show including Simon Cowell.

Ahead of the show, Mulhern had teased it was going to blow everyone's minds. He said on Lorraine: "Let me tell you now, this is going to blow your mind. If you think it’s going to be big, times it by 10. Seriously, for everybody at home, normally you’ll see Saturday Night Takeaway in one studio."

It was following the afterparty that Gibson and Mulhern were pictured holding hands, sparking rumours they could be dating. They were spotted outside a London TV studio. This is the only time the pair have ever seen to be "romantically linked" despite their longstanding public friendship.

One thing that is clear is Mulhern and Gibson have a lot of fun together on and off camera! The I'm A Celebrity star playfully continued to drum up excitement around the reports as Gibson shared a cheeky moment with Mulhern that happened off camera. She shared behind-the-scenes footage of Mulhern on a scooter via her Instagram stories.

Dancing on Ice

As well as Saturday Night Takeaway antics, Mulhern and Gibson worked together on the set of Dancing on Ice earlier this year. The This Morning presenter had landed a special job hosting the competitions on the show.

Meanwhile, Mulhern stepped up to the role of one of the main presenters after Phillip Schofield quit. He took the helm of the show alongside his fellow presenter Holly Willoughby, with whom he has been friends for decades.

Gibson hailed Mulhern as a "legend" while they worked together. She wrote on social media at the time: "What an honour.....Thank you for having me Dancing on Ice and giving me my own sleigh with these two heroes. The show was incredible!!!"

She added on social media: "It was beautiful to have the one and only Holly Willoughby back on our screens where she belongs, alongside the legend that is Stephen Mulhern the competition is so fierce this year!!!"

Read more

• Josie Gibson says it's 'love' with Stephen Mulhern as they're seen holding hands (Devon Live, 3-min read)

• This Morning’s Josie Gibson shares real reason she couldn't replace Holly Willoughby (Digital Spy, 3-min read)