Dec Donnelly releases new statement about future of Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway
The show will continue without Ant
Last updated 21st Mar 2018
After his on-screen partner Ant McPartlin was arrested on suspicion of drink driving on Sunday afternoon, Dec Donnelly has released a statement confirming Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway will go ahead for the final two episodes.
Taking to Ant and Dec's official Twitter account, Dec wrote, 'Whilst I never thought I'd be in this position, after much discussion and careful consideration we've decided that the remaining two shows of this series of Saturday Night Takeaway will go ahead.
'We made a promise to take hundreds of deserving winners to Florida to watch the series finale, and we will honour that.
'Everyone at ITV and the Takeaway team feels we owe it to the audience to complete the series. Dec x' sic
It hasn't yet been confirmed who, if anybody, will replace Ant presenting the show.
Following Ant's arrest on suspicion of drink driving on Sunday, ITV released a lengthy statement explaining the 42-year-old plans to go back to rehab to receive more treatment.
The statement by ITV read, "Ant has decided to go back into treatment and step down from his current TV commitments. He has spoken with Dec and ITV today and asked for time off for the foreseeable future.
"ITV has taken a joint decision with Ant and Dec’s team not to broadcast Saturday Night Takeaway this weekend. We will be reviewing options for the last two episodes of the series which would not feature Ant who is taking time off to seek treatment. We very much hope that he gets the help that he needs."
See the rise and fall of Ant McPartlin below:
Ant starts his acting career
In 1989 Ant started his acting career on Byker Grove where he met Declan Donnelly.
Ant and Dec release their first song
As PJ & Duncan in 1989, Ant and Dec release their debut song 'Tonight I'm Free' following its success on Byker Grove.
'Let's Get Ready to Rhumble' goes to number 1
In 1994 'Let's Get Ready to Rhumble' was released and went to number 1. They also received their first BRIT Award nomination for the song.
Ant also met his future wife, Lisa Armstrong, when they were both performing. Lisa was part of the pop group, Deuce.
Ant and Dec got their first TV show
Ant and Dec first started presenting on a programme called Gimme 5 for CITV.
Gimme 5 only lasted for two series, but they got their very own show, The Ant & Dec Show in** **1995. They also won two BAFTAs for the series, Best Children's Show and Best Sketch Comedy Show.
Ant and Dec teamed up with Cat Deeley
In 1998 they won another BAFTA for Ant & Dec Unzipped, which was only on the air for one series! Ant and Dec then joined Cat Deeley on SMTV Live and CD:UK.
Ant and Dec move away from children's TV to prime time TV
In 2001 Ant and Dec moved from children's TV to work on Pop Idol. They later went on to present popular TV shows such as Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here and Britain's Got Talent.
The beginning of prime time TV shows
In 2002 Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway started, attracting nearly five million viewers. The show returned in 2018 for its 15th series which was due to be its last. Ant stepped down from his presenting duties three episodes from the end after being arrested on suspicion of drink driving.
Ant and Dec also began presenting I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and Britain's Got Talent and have continued to present the shows until the present day.
Ant gets married to Lisa Armstrong
In 2006 Ant married his longterm girlfriend, make up artist Lisa Armstrong.
In 2013 Ant opened up in an interview with The Mirror about his struggle to have kids. He said, "Lisa and I would love to have kids. We're trying. It's tougher than you think when you get a bit older."
The couple remained married until 2018 when they announced they would be getting a divorce.
Ant and Dec star in the film Alien Autopsy
In 2006 the popular duo starred in a comedy film called Alien Autopsy. The film starred Ray Santilli (Dec) and his friend Gary Shoefield (Ant) as they go to America to find Elvis memorabilia to sell on Ray's market stall in London.
Ant and Dec receive an OBE
Both Ant and Dec were awarded an OBE by the Queen for their contributions as presenters in 2016, they were presented with the awards in 2017.
Ant spends time in rehab
In the summer of 2017 Ant opened up about his struggle with an addiction to painkillers following an operation on his knee. He spent some time getting treatment for his addictions, however he did return to presenting in time for I'm a Celebrity in November.
Ant McPartlin announces divorce from Lisa Armstrong
In January 2018 Ant announced he would be divorcing his wife of 11 years, he claimed he needed to concentrate on his health.
A statement released to The Mirror said, "Ant asks for privacy at this difficult time, for both himself, Lisa and their immediate families.
"No further statement will be made."
Ant and Dec win again at the NTAs
Ant and Dec win Best Presenter for the 17th year in a row at the 2018 NTAs. On the night Ant and Dec won two awards, Best TV Presenter and the (newly named) Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award for Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.
Ant is arrested on suspicion of drink driving
In March 2018 Ant was arrested on suspicion of drink driving after a collision involving three cars in London. He was later charged by police.
Ant announces his intention to return to rehab
A representative for Ant later released a statement saying that he would be stepping down from his TV duties and returned to rehab.
The statement read, "Ant has decided to go back into treatment and step down from his current TV commitments. He has spoken with Dec and ITV today and asked for time off for the foreseeable future."
ITV have also confirmed that Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway will not air this Saturday (24th March). A statement from the TV company read, "ITV has taken a joint decision with Ant and Dec's team not to broadcast Saturday Night Takeaway this weekend.
"We will be reviewing options for the last two episodes of the series which would not feature Ant who is taking time off to seek treatment. We very much hope that he gets the help that he needs."