Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway is not on this weekend

Because of the rugby! 🏉

Author: Alex RossPublished 14th Mar 2022
Last updated 18th Mar 2022

Just days after news emerged that the Dancing On Ice final had been postponed by a week to accommodate for The FA Cup on ITV, it's been confirmed Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway has also been cancelled this weekend (Saturday 19th March).

Following last weekend's show, which saw Sam Fender perform during The End of the Show Show, Geordie duo Ant and Dec confirmed the show wouldn't air on Saturday due to ITV's footage of the Six Nations Rugby.

New show Starstruck has also been taken off our screens, as the Ireland v Scotland game takes place at 4.45pm, immediately followed by France v England at 8pm.

Upon hearing the news of the schedule change, fans of the popular show were quick to express their disappointment.

One wrote: 'Personally find it ridiculous rugby can take away from my amazing night of ant and Dec', with another adding: 'It was a great show last night can’t believe it’s not on for two weeks stupid rugby 😭🤬😫'. (sic)

Another added: 'Can’t believe we have to wait two weeks now'. (sic)

Check out these facts you didn't know about Ant and Dec:

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.

With stars like Adam Lambert, Ru Paul, Paloma Faith, Craig Revel Horwood, George Ezra, Richard E Grant and Sam Fender already this series, it's certainly put a smile on the faces of fans.

The boys have also introduced brand new games such as Level Up, as well as the return of favourites like SNT at the Movies and Get Out Of Me Ear.

On last weekend's show, Ant and Dec were joined by Sam Fender for the End of the Show Show, where the North Shields lad performed his hit single 'Seventeen Going Under'.

Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway will return to our screens on Saturday 26th March.

Now read:

Ant and Dec give update on location of I'm a Celeb 2022

Ant and Dec's complete career timeline: From Byker Grove to Limitless Win

All of the TV shows we can’t wait to return

How to listen to Forth 1:

For great music and incredible competitions tune into Forth 1 on 97.3, DAB, online, on the Rayo app, or say ‘Play FORTH 1’ to your Smart Speaker. You’ll find new favourites every day and hear the songs you've missed from the last few years. From Boogie In The Morning, to Garry and Steven getting you home after work, we play you the biggest hits from the world's hottest artists.