WATCH: Ant McPartlin's replacement on I'm a Celebrity was predicted LAST YEAR
It was an awkward joke!
Ant and Dec
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 29th Aug 2018 Last updated 29th Aug 2018
Holly Willoughby has just been announced as Ant McPartlin's replacement on the upcoming series of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, however it turns out it was actually predicted LAST YEAR by Ant's co-host Declan Donnelly, in a slightly awkward joke! Introducing the 2017 series of I'm a Celebrity, Dec jokes, "Hello, good morning, good evening. Welcome to Australia. We are back, and we're here for the next three weeks. Your hosts, me and the gorgeous Holly Willoughby."
To which Ant jokingly replies, "What? Sorry, what?! What?!" The pair then joke that Dec was reading a script from the wrong show. Watch the moment below.
Last year, Ant checked himself into rehab and there were questions over whether or not he would return to his I'm A Celebrity presenting duties.
However, days before the series was due to launch, it was confirmed Ant would be returning in a trailer. Although not much was given away, the 13-second trailer did show Ant and Dec shouting, "Let's get ready to jungle!", with the Australian jungle shown in the background.
Holly Willoughby was announced as the replacement presenter on I'm a Celebrity earlier today (28th August) and in a statement she said,
"I couldn’t be more excited to have been asked to stand alongside Dec for the next jungle adventure. I love Ant and want to send him my best wishes and support for a continued recovery.
"These are big shoes, not to fill, but just to keep warm for a little bit... Honestly, I’m a huge fan of I’m a Celebrity and actually feel like I’ve won a competition to go and hang out on my favourite show! When is it a good time to tell Dec I’m scared of everything that moves?!"
Check out which celebrities are rumoured to be entering the jungle:
Jamie Laing
Radio DJ and Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing is reportedly keen to join the show after his friend Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo's success last year.
Toff was crowned Queen of the Jungle after impressing the public with her hilarious personality.
WATCH: Ant McPartlin's replacement on I'm a Celebrity was predicted LAST YEAR
2 of 12
Nigel Farage
He's been rumoured for the last few years, even turning down a reported £1 million in 2016 - so will bosses be able to convince Nigel Farage this year?
Jamie Laing
Radio DJ and Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing is reportedly keen to join the show after his friend Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo's success last year.
Toff was crowned Queen of the Jungle after impressing the public with her hilarious personality.
Danny Dyer
After his daughter's success on this year's Love Island, EastEnders actor Danny Dyer is hotly tipped to appear in the jungle.
Danny recently admitted he loves reality TV, so could we see another Dyer on our screens this year?
Aaron Chalmers
Former Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers has admitted he won't be returning to the MTV show after following his dream of MMA fighting, but could he be heading into the jungle?
Lucy Fallon
Coronation Street actress Lucy Fallon (AKA Bethany Platt) has recently said she'd love to do the show as a 'challenge'.
She said, "I think I'd be good at the jungle. I like to challenge myself and that's the most challenging show you can do."
Kieran Hayler
After all of his drama with Katie Price, bosses are reportedly VERY keen to sign up Kieran Hayler for the 2018 series.
Gemma Collins
She's the Queen of reality TV, but Gemma Collins only lasted THREE days when she appeared on the show last year, before leaving for 'personal reasons'.
Reports are suggesting Gemma could be given the chance to appear on I'm A Celebrity again this year.
Rosie Marcel
Holby City actress Rosie Marcel got tongues wagging when she confessed she'd already had a few meetings with I'm A Celebrity bosses.
Speaking on Loose Women, Rosie said, "I've had a couple of meetings. I have spoken to them, it is something I would love to do actually. I think for me it would be an amazing challenge."
Olivia Attwood
Olivia Attwood hasn't been out of the spotlight since appearing on Love Island in 2017. Not only did she land her own show with her ex-boyfriend Chris Hughes, Olivia is also set to appear on the new series of Celebs Go Dating.
But with that show due to end before November, could Olivia be heading into the jungle as well?
Brendan Cole
After being dropped from Strictly Come Dancing despite appearing on the show for 13 years, Brendan Cole has some spare time on his hands.
He told the Daily Star, "I have never had from July 31 until Christmas off. I have never been able to take on any other responsibilities, not even the odd corporate job because your time is devoted to Strictly.
"Now that time is all of a sudden free, all of the things I wanted to do is now available."
Catherine Tyldesley
Former Coronation Street actress Catherine Tyldesley started rumours when she admitted she'd like to spend more time in Australia so she could visit her family.
After shutting down reports that she was set to appear on Strictly Come Dancing, could we see Catherine heading Down Under?
Kate Garraway
Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway has reportedly been approached by I'm A Celebrity bosses, with reports suggesting she could get £150,000 to appear.
Nigel Farage
He's been rumoured for the last few years, even turning down a reported £1 million in 2016 - so will bosses be able to convince Nigel Farage this year?
Jamie Laing
Radio DJ and Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing is reportedly keen to join the show after his friend Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo's success last year.
Toff was crowned Queen of the Jungle after impressing the public with her hilarious personality.
Danny Dyer
After his daughter's success on this year's Love Island, EastEnders actor Danny Dyer is hotly tipped to appear in the jungle.
Danny recently admitted he loves reality TV, so could we see another Dyer on our screens this year?
Aaron Chalmers
Former Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers has admitted he won't be returning to the MTV show after following his dream of MMA fighting, but could he be heading into the jungle?
Lucy Fallon
Coronation Street actress Lucy Fallon (AKA Bethany Platt) has recently said she'd love to do the show as a 'challenge'.
She said, "I think I'd be good at the jungle. I like to challenge myself and that's the most challenging show you can do."
Kieran Hayler
After all of his drama with Katie Price, bosses are reportedly VERY keen to sign up Kieran Hayler for the 2018 series.
Gemma Collins
She's the Queen of reality TV, but Gemma Collins only lasted THREE days when she appeared on the show last year, before leaving for 'personal reasons'.
Reports are suggesting Gemma could be given the chance to appear on I'm A Celebrity again this year.
Rosie Marcel
Holby City actress Rosie Marcel got tongues wagging when she confessed she'd already had a few meetings with I'm A Celebrity bosses.
Speaking on Loose Women, Rosie said, "I've had a couple of meetings. I have spoken to them, it is something I would love to do actually. I think for me it would be an amazing challenge."
Olivia Attwood
Olivia Attwood hasn't been out of the spotlight since appearing on Love Island in 2017. Not only did she land her own show with her ex-boyfriend Chris Hughes, Olivia is also set to appear on the new series of Celebs Go Dating.
But with that show due to end before November, could Olivia be heading into the jungle as well?
Brendan Cole
After being dropped from Strictly Come Dancing despite appearing on the show for 13 years, Brendan Cole has some spare time on his hands.
He told the Daily Star, "I have never had from July 31 until Christmas off. I have never been able to take on any other responsibilities, not even the odd corporate job because your time is devoted to Strictly.
"Now that time is all of a sudden free, all of the things I wanted to do is now available."
Catherine Tyldesley
Former Coronation Street actress Catherine Tyldesley started rumours when she admitted she'd like to spend more time in Australia so she could visit her family.
After shutting down reports that she was set to appear on Strictly Come Dancing, could we see Catherine heading Down Under?
Kate Garraway
Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway has reportedly been approached by I'm A Celebrity bosses, with reports suggesting she could get £150,000 to appear.
Nigel Farage
He's been rumoured for the last few years, even turning down a reported £1 million in 2016 - so will bosses be able to convince Nigel Farage this year?
The statement also confirmed that Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway will NOT be returning for a brand new series in 2019, to allow Ant some time off to focus on his health.
It continued, "In addition Ant and Dec have made the joint decision not to present a new series of Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway in Spring 2019."
Ant and Dec
I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here is due to return in November, now presented by Declan Donnelly and Holly Willoughby.
NOW WATCH: All the Celebrity Big Brother winners so far:
