Ant and Dec hint Saturday Night Takeaway could be cancelled

They've already cancelled the series finale in America

Ant and Dec

by Alex Ross |
Updated on

After taking a year off in 2019, viewers of Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway were over the moon in February, when the popular Geordie hosts returned with the upbeat and entertaining show.

However, in light of the Coronavirus pandemic, a number of TV shows with live audiences across the world are either being cancelled or filmed with no audience members, leaving fans fearing for Ant and Dec's popular show.

And, on Saturday night's (14th March) episode, some viewers noticed the boys hinted that the show may not return next week.

Despite promoting their prank with Bradley Walsh for next week's show, at the end of the episode, Ant told fans, "We will hopefully be back here next Saturday night at 7pm."

CHECK OUT Ant and Dec's career timeline

Gallery

Ant and Dec's career timeline (slider)

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CREDIT: Wenn

And & 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.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

And & 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.

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CREDIT: Rex

And & Dec: Early career

Ant & Dec hosted SMTV and CD with Cat DeeleyThis kicked off their kids' TV careers, and landed them their first BAFTA Awards.After various other presenting gigs, Ant & Dec started hosting ITV's Saturday morning shows SMTV and CD , alongside Cat Deeley, in 1998.But, in 2001, they made the move from Saturday morning to prime time – for a little show called Pop Idol…

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CREDIT: Pop Idol

Ant & 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.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Ant & 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.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Ant & 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 year after 11 years of marriage.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Ant & 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."

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CREDIT: Instagram

Ant & 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.

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The boys then added, "Have a great week – stay safe, everybody."

Of course, at the time of publication, Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway is still scheduled to go ahead on Saturday 21st March, with THAT Bradley Walsh prank set to leave viewers crying with laughter.

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Meanwhile, it was revealed last week that the show's series finale on the 4th April, which was due to be filmed at Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida, has now been cancelled due to Coronavirus.

An ITV spokesperson said, “We will no longer be broadcasting the Saturday Night Takeaway finale from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Walt Disney World has made the decision to close, beginning on Monday 16 March until the end of the month.

“The wellbeing of all our prize winners, as well as our production team, is always our number one priority. All recipients of a ‘Place on the Plane’ prize will have their prizes honoured and flown by Virgin Holidays for a 5-night stay at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida at such later date when it is practical for Virgin Holidays and Walt Disney World Resort to fulfil the prize.”

Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway is due to air on ITV on Saturday 21st March.

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