REAL DEAL - 'WILLIAM & KATE HAVE AN AURA – THEY TOOK MY BREATH AWAY'

STEPHEN MULHERN ON REVIVING A CLASSIC GAME SHOW, HIS ROYAL CONNECTIONS AND THE MAGIC OF WRITING CHILDREN'S BOOKS

-  ALISON GRAVES

Stephen Mulhern landed the gig of a lifetime after being asked to host the rebooted series of Deal Or No Deal, and when we catch up with the star to chat about his high-profile role, he can barely contain his excitement.

The popular TV host will helm the new version of the much-loved series previously hosted by Noel Edmonds, before being axed by Channel 4 in 2016 - when it returns on ITV1 later this year.

"I'm over the moon," he tells OK!.

"When they said they were thinking of bringing it back and asked me to film the pilot, I didn't hesitate." But what of his predecessor, Noel? Did he offer any words of encouragement when he found out Stephen was taking over?

"Noel Edmonds was so courteous, because he sent over a message to Good Morning Britain saying something along the lines of, 'Having had 10 amazing years at the helm of Deal Or No Deal, I can't see anyone better stepping into my shoes than Stephen.' He didn't need to say that it's great," he says. "If we even have half the time that Noel had, we're laughing."

After successfully relaunching Catchphrase in 2013, Stephen is no stranger to fronting nostalgic TV shows.

"The audience at home feel safe with the show that they used to know and used to love," says Stephen, 46. "Although [Deal Or No Deal] did so amazingly well on Channel 4, we're bringing it to ITV1 and to a whole new audience, too - kids who have never seen it, adults who have never seen it. I think it's got a real chance." Hilariously, Stephen also jokes that it could help build bridges between the UK and a certain California-based royal.

Referring to the Duchess of Sussex's stint as one of the "briefcase girls" on the US version of Deal Or No Deal, Stephen says, "Tell Meghan Markle to come and open one of my boxes! If Meghan wants to come, I'm personally inviting her now, 'Look, come back to the UK, do Deal Or No Deal, and it will be great for everyone!"" Stranger things have happened,