T.V. Presenter Stephen Mulhern - who transformed into Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Showman in a Heat exclusive - has been a favourite face to see on our tellies over the years. The ITV presenter has been a good friend of Ant McPartlin, who hosted Britain's Got Talent whilst Stephen presented the ITV2 spin-off Britain's Got More Talent.
Ant had to step down from his television career early last year, including presenting the popular I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, due to personal circumstances. Popular Geordie, Ant, was banned from driving for 20 months and fined £86,000 as a result of a drink-driving charge. He sadly decided to leave the show, checking himself into rehab to properly focus on his health.
Whilst the nation wished him a speedy recovery, his departure left some pretty big shoes to fill, presenting alongside lifetime buddy Declan Donnelly on I'm A Celebrity.
Check out Ant and Dec's career timeline:
Ant and Dec career timeline
1 of 8And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec as PJ and DuncanIn 1989 Dec landed a part on BBC children's drama Byker Grove, playing Duncan. A year later Ant was cast as PJ – PJ and Duncan was born.Another career change for the boys came in 1994, when they began as co-presenters of children's show Gimme 5 on CITV. Just a year later they landed their own programme, The Ant & Dec Show, this time on CBBC.
2 of 8And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec became popstarsIt wasn't just acting for the boys: PJ & Duncan were pop stars for a while, and became best known for their 1994 UK top 10 Let's Get Ready to Rhumble.Their last studio album, The Cult of Ant and Dec, was released in 1997, managing to chart at number 15.
3 of 8And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec hosted SMTV and CD
4 of 8Ant & Dec: Primetime career
They hit the prime time with talent show Pop IdolThey presented Pop Idol for two years, before it replaced with The X Factor and Kate Thornton took over.This gave them the opportunity to create and present Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, which is about begin its 13th series.In 2002, a year after Saturday Night Takeaway's debut, the boys joined I'm a Celebrity and have become huge parts of the show.
5 of 8Ant & Dec: Britain's Got Talent
Establishing themselves as the busiest presenters in the country, Ant & Dec signed up for Britain's Got Talent in 2006 – and a year later signed a two-year golden handcuffs deal with ITV, which was thought to be worth £40 million.They have been hosting the show ever since, and are currently filming for the twelfth series of the show.
6 of 8Ant & Dec: Awards
Among their numerous gongs, Ant & Dec have received the National Television Award for Most Popular Entertainment/TV Presenter for 15 years running. Most recently, at the 2018 NTAs, the duo won Best Presenter.
7 of 8Ant & Dec: Friendship
Ant previously revealed his friendship with Dec started in 1990, when he sent him a Christmas card and invited him to a football match.He said: "And that was that. It just happened immediately. We clicked. We'd spend all day making each other laugh and annoying everyone and quoting Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer lines to each other."When their parts were written out of Byker Grove, the boys vowed to stick together. Dec told Weekend magazine: "We made a pact. We said to each other, 'Look, whatever happens, I'll always be there for you and you're never in this life on your own or against the world – you've always got a mate looking out for you."Even though they work together, Ant & Dec make sure they go out together at least once a week – and even live three doors apart in London!Dec said: "It's our choice to socialise outside work. And we both get to go to work with our best mate every day. And that keeps our feet on the ground."Ant added: "We love each other, definitely."
8 of 8Ant & Dec: Relationships
In 2015 Dec married his longtime manager Ali Astall and Ant was, of course, best man. And in July 2006, Dec acted as best man at Ant's wedding to make-up artist Lisa Armstrong. Ant and Lisa, however, filed for divorce this month after 11 years of marriage.
Stephen Mulhern was a firm favourite to temporarily replace Ant, but speaking to The Sun, the Catchphrase presenter revealed why he didn't want to step in for his good friend.
It was This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby who eventually filled the role, and Stephen couldn't be happier. "It was the best possible choice," he said of the decision, also stating, "You couldn't have gone with another guy. It had to be a female host and Holly was perfect. Holly and Dec worked a treat."
38-year-old Holly received a great reception to hosting I'm A Celebrity, as Stephen insisted, "I'm not going to step into a friend's shoes."
Much to everyone's joy, Ant has now returned to his hosting duties, reunited again with Declan Donnelly on the latest series of Britain's Got Talent. Stephen said, "I'm just pleased he's back." So are we!
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