Ant and Dec hint Saturday Night Takeaway could be cancelled

They've already cancelled the series finale in America

Author: Alex RossPublished 16th Mar 2020

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."

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.

Check out all of these Ant and Dec facts below:

1. Ant and Dec become friends through football

Believe it or not the pair didn't get along at first but it was their joint love for football and in particular their local team Newcastle United that bonded the pair together.
According to reports, Ant invited Dec along to Newcastle's Boxing Day match in 1990 and the rest is history.

2. They were neighbours for a number of years

Not only do they work together but Ant and Dec used to live just three doors away from each other in West London! However, after Ant's split from his ex-wife Lisa Armstrong, Ant bought a new £5 million home in South West London.


Despite this, Ant and Dec have holiday homes next door to each other in sunny Portugal.

3. They bet who would be the first to get married

When they were just 15, Ant and Dec bet £50 who would be the first to get married. Ant was forced to pay Dec the money when he tied the knot in 2006 to Lisa Armstrong.


Dec married Ali Astall in August 2015.


After his divorce from Lisa, Ant re-married in August 2021 when he tied the knot with his girlfriend Anne-Marie Corbett.

4. They have life insurance against each other

In the awful event that one of them dies, the other will receive a pay out as they both have life insurance against each other.

5. Ant and Dec bought the rights to Byker Grove

It was the show which kick-started their careers but Ant and Dec reportedly bought the rights to Byker Grove when the production company went bust. In 2023, the boys confirmed they are rebooting Byker Grove, acting as producers.

6. Ant and Dec have been sued before

The boys were sued by an American comedian (who also had the name Ant) for using his name during their time in America. Unsurprisingly the allegations of fraud were dismissed!

7. A huge amount of people mix Ant and Dec up

After a poll found that 70% of viewers were unable to tell the boys apart, Dec admitted standing in the same positions is a useful way to help out the public.


The pair now position themselves so that Ant is on the viewer's left, and Dec on the right.

8. Ant and Dec are music stars

Before they became the kings of presenting, Ant and Dec (AKA PJ and Duncan) enjoyed an extensive music career. The pair released sixteen singles and three album including their biggest hit to date 'Let's Get Ready To Rhumble'.

9. Ant and Dec hold a Guinness World Record

In 2019 the boys were rewarded with a Guinness World Record for the most National Television Awards for Best Presenter won consecutively.


In September 2024, Ant and Dec won Best Presenter at the NTAs for the 23rd consecutive year! It was never in doubt!

10. Ant and Dec both have an OBE

In 2017, both Ant and Dec received an OBE from Prince Charles for their services to broadcasting and entertainment. The boys collected their accolades at Buckingham Palace.

11. Ant and Dec have hosted The BRIT Awards

Ant and Dec first hosted The BRIT Awards way back in 2001, before making a return to the stage in both 2015 and 2016.

12. Ant and Dec are worth millions

Due to their phenomenal careers, it's reported that Ant and Dec's current net worth is estimated to be around £62 million each.
Lend us a tenner lads!

13. Ant and Dec both have phobias

Believe it or not, despite Ant and Dec hosting I'm A Celebrity in the Australian Jungle, both of them have phobias! Ant is scared of spiders and Dec is terrified of birds!

14. Ant and Dec have their name trademarked

Since 2003, the name 'Ant and Dec' has been trademarked in the UK in the category of 'Entertainment services'.

15. Ant and Dec are RELATED!

When taking part in their 2019 documentary Ant and Dec's DNA Journey, the boys discovered the are actually distant cousins!


The popular pair found out they share a S660 DNA marker, meaning they are related in an incredibly distant way.

16. Ant and Dec are REBOOTING Byker Grove

In July 2023, Ant and Dec (or should we say PJ and Duncan) announced they were rebooting series Byker Grove, which originally aired between 1989-2006! The pair confirmed they would be Executive Producers on the show.

17. Ant and Dec are both proud dads

Dec is a proud dad to his two children, daughter Isla Elizabeth Anne Donnelly and son Jack Anthony Alphonsus. Meanwhile, in May 2024, Ant become a father for the first time when his wife Anne-Marie gave birth to a baby boy called Wilder Patrick McPartlin.

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.

Tune into Northern Ireland's Home of Great Music, Downtown Radio on FM, AM, DAB Digital Radio, online, on our Rayo app and by asking your smart speaker to 'Play Downtown Radio'. Gary & Glen kick things off every weekday morning and Neal McClelland brings you home on Downtown Drive.