Dec Donnelly planning 'tribute to Ant' for final Saturday Night Takeaway episode
The show will take place in America
Author: Alex RossPublished 3rd Apr 2018 Last updated 3rd Apr 2018
Dec Donnelly is reportedly planning a very special tribute to his best friend Ant McPartlin for the final show of Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway this weekend.
The show, which will air live from Universal Orlando, will not feature Ant after his arrest for drink driving last month. However, new reports suggest that Dec will perform a very special tribute to his on-screen partner during the series finale.
It is understood that 90s band The Rembrandts will feature on the show, with Dec reportedly singing their massive hit 'I'll Be There For You', a song that is loved by the Geordie duo.
A source told The Daily Star, "If ever there were a song to sum up Ant and Dec’s friendship for the past 25 years then the Rembrandts track is it."
The song gained huge popularity when it was used as the soundtrack on hit comedy show Friends, a show that both Ant and Dec love.
Although nothing has been confirmed by Saturday Night Takeaway bosses, fans of the show will reportedly 'love' the feature.
It comes after Dec was spotted travelling to America yesterday ahead of the show's final episode. Scarlett Moffatt and Stephen Mulhern also travelled to Orlando, along with the show's lucky competition winners.
After presenting Saturday night's show on his own, Dec received massive praise from fans, with the show gaining over one million more viewers than usual.
When the show was over, Dec thanked the studio audience admitting, "It’s been the weirdest, weirdest show". He said, "But I wanted to say a huge, huge thank you to lots of people here. Most of all I just wanted to thank you guys. That reception when I came down the stairs . . . I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. I wasn’t sure how I was going to do or how you were going to react . . . but you carried me all the way through the show. I couldn’t have done it without you guys. Thank you."
Dec later took to Twitter to write, 'Thanks for all your lovely messages tonight, they are VERY much appreciated, I’m glad you enjoyed the show. I didn’t sleep an awful lot last night so I’m off to bed! Night y’all. D x'. sic
Fans were quick to praise Dec for his professionalism...
The show first started way back in 2002, with millions of fans sitting down on a Saturday night to be entertained by the duo.
The final episode of Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway will air on ITV at 7pm on Saturday 7th April.
Now see Ant's success and struggles throughout his career:
Ant starts his acting career
In 1989 Ant started his acting career on Byker Grove where he met Declan Donnelly.
Dec Donnelly planning 'tribute to Ant' for final Saturday Night Takeaway episode
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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 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 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 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.
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."
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 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 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 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 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.
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."
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 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.
