Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway fans call for this HUGE change to the show

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Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway is back, but fans have just got one complaint after watching the first episode of the new series.

Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway was back on our screens last night and fans couldn't be happier.

But while everyone was thrilled to see Ant and Dec back in their prime Saturday night slot, there was just one complaint - and it was a pretty big one.

Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway

Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway is back, and fans couldn't be happier. But there was just one issue with the sound... (Picture: ITV)

Fans of the show weren't happy with the sound quality from the live show - something that is bound to be a work in progress as the show returns with some major changes due to social distancing restrictions.

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New series, new look

With current lockdown rules in place, the show is unable to have the usual live audience in the studio and instead they used a virtual audience wall.

While the wall looked impressive and helped bring the usual excitement levels to the show as 300 families from across the country joined in, there were teething problems with the sound.

Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway

Ant and Dec were joined by 300 families around the country as part of their virtual live audience wall (Picture: ITV)

Fans complained that they couldn't focus on what Ant and Dec were saying because of the constant background noise from the virtual audience.

Viewers took to Twitter to complain, asking if the audience could be muted for certain parts of the show next week...

Despite fans being distracted by the sound, Ant and Dec's comeback episode - the first of series 17 - was as brilliant as always.

Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway

Viewers complained that the background noise from the virtual audience was distracting (Picture: ITV)

Not only were we treated to an opening number by Gary Barlow and Beverley Knight live from the studio, there was also Operation Thank You Miss and the most hilarious 'Get Out Of Me Ear' with Harry and Jamie Redknapp.

There were also all the usual prizes and giveaways too, and it felt brilliant to have Ant and Dec back on our screens at last.

Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway airs on Saturdays at 7pm on ITV. 

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.