Saturday Night Takeaway with Dec but without Ant will return to ITV on March 31st, confirms broadcaster
After much speculation as to the future of Saturday Night Takeaway, ITV today confirmed that Dec will host the final two episodes of the current series.
On Monday ITV revealed that this Saturday’s episode of the hit show would not go ahead and said that the final two episodes of the series would not feature Ant, leading some to wonder whether the rest of the series would be shown at all.
However, the ITV press office announced: "ITV can confirm that Saturday Night Takeaway, presented by Declan Donnelly, will return on March 31, and the series finale will be taking place at Universal Orlanda Resort in Florida a week later."
It's unclear whether Dec will be presenting purely by himself or whether ITV will sign up a new co-host for him. Dec explained the reason behind going ahead with the series, saying: "We made a promise to take hundreds of deserving winners to Florida to watch the series finale, and we will honour that."
Ant is re-entering rehab following his arrest on suspicion of drink-driving on Sunday.
Ant first checked himself into rehab last year after battling a prescription drug and alcohol addiction.
At the time the presenter said, “The first step is to admit to yourself you need help. I feel like I have let a lot of people down and for that I am truly sorry.
“I want to thank my wife, family and closest friends for helping me through this really difficult time.
“I’ve spoken out because I think it’s important that people ask for help if they’re going through a rough time and get the proper treatment to help their recovery.”
He has since split from Lisa Armstrong, who he first met in his teens, and who he was married for more than a decade.
