Stephen Mulhern's You Bet filming suspended after on-set chaos as van ‘bursts into flames' causing thousands in damage

Scottish Sun

01-07-2025

The game show is back with a brand new format
GAME SHOW MAYHEM Stephen Mulhern's You Bet filming suspended after on-set chaos as van 'bursts into flames' causing thousands in damage
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
STEPHEN Mulhern's game show You Bet! was halted after a van burst into flames - with fire engines rushing to the scene.
The TV star, 48, will return to our screens for the second series later this year and will be presenting solo after Holly Willoughby quit the show in March.
Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter
Sign up
4
YouBet! filming was thrown into chaos after a van caught fire on set
Credit: Ben Lack
4
The incident happened on Friday as host Stephen Mulhern prepared to film an Emmerdale segment
Credit: Ben Lack
4
Stephen will be back for a second series later this year
Credit: ITV
But filming for the new series hasn't gone smooth sailing.
Popular telly host Stephen was filming a special Emmerdale segment in Yorkshire last Friday when a vehicle burst into flames.
The fire quickly spread to prop vans nearby, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Images showed ash and rubble around the destroyed vehicle on the grounds of Harewood House, where Emmerdale is filmed in Leeds.
"The blaze just started from a random vehicle which then resulted in vans used by the crew also go up in flames," an eyewitness told the Mail.
'There was obvious panic and it's a miracle nobody was harmed."
The fire reportedly happened in close proximity to the ITV soap - but did not spread inside where filming takes place.
As a result, filming was suspended but is set to continue this week.
A spokesperson for You Bet! said to the publication: "Following an incident that was unrelated to filming, production for You Bet! was suspended as a precaution.
"The situation was promptly assessed by the fire services and no-one was injured or affected.
Watch the moment Stephen Mulhern is left red-faced as he makes HUGE blunder on Catchphrase puzzle
"The health and safety of all individuals involved in the making of the programme remains our highest priority.'
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Fire Service added: "We were called at 15.57 on Friday to reports of a small vehicle on fire on Harewood Avenue.
"We sent two crews, Moortown and Wetherby.
"On arrival this was found to be two vehicles on fire which crews extinguished. No reports of any injuries.
"The cause has been recorded as accidental."
ITV confirmed You Bet! will be back with new episodes following the successful relaunch last year, but with a new format change.
It has been revealed that the show which saw competitors take on strange challenges will be taking it on the road.
Each of the seven episodes, including a Christmas special - will take place in a different iconic locations around the country.
An an ITV spokesman said: "Free from the restrictions of the studio - our epic challenges are about to get a whole lot bigger.
"Watching on, our celebrity panel's job is simple; they must decide if each challenger will succeed - Yes or No. If they guess correctly, they'll be awarded points.
"The Celebrity with the most points at the end of the show will receive £5,000 for their chosen charity."
The show will be re-named You Bet! On Tour for the new series.
In March it was revealed Holly would not be returning to the show.
An ITV spokesman told TV Zone: "Unfortunately Holly couldn't commit to the dates to host the new series of You Bet!, but will hopefully appear as a guest panellist on one of the shows in the new series."
The iconic 80s gameshow featured ordinary people taking on a range of bizarre challenges as a panel of celebrity guests gambled on their success.
Rob Beckett, Alison Hammond, Harry Redknapp and Rosie Ramsey made up the star gamblers as contestants vied for a £10,000 prize.
Challenges included one couple identifying different types of cactus just by licking them.
Another challenge was identifying different board games by the sounds they make when they are emptied from their boxes.
The likes of Bruce Forsyth, Matthew Kelly and Darren Day previously fronted the show on their own.