here to stay
Ant and Dec to stay on I’m a Celebrity as ITV brands rumours the pair face the chop ‘utter nonsense’
ANT and Dec will not be replaced by new talent on I'm a Celebrity, ITV has confirmed.
The broadcaster branded rumours the Geordie duo were to be axed from the popular reality show after 15 years "utter nonsense", reassuring fans in the process.
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ITV told the : "It is utter nonsense to suggest that Ant and Dec are set to be replaced on I'm A Celebrity."
The channel's statement comes after claimed the presenters, both 42, faced the chop to make sure the show remains a hit following Ant's recent drink-drive arrest.
A show insider claimed to the publication: "There’s a very real possibility that Ant won’t be available to present the next series of the jungle.
"While Ant and Dec are a big part of the show, they aren’t bigger than the show. They are confident it would still work without them.
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“If their return is going to be a problem, producers aren’t afraid to axe them from the format and get new presenters in.”
Fans can breathe a sigh of relief that the pair will return later this year, despite Ant's announcement he would go into rehab following his arrest last Sunday.
The drama has meant Dec - who The Sun on Sunday revealed is expecting his first child with wife Ali Astall - has been left to host the final two episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway alone.
It will be the first time in their career that one has appeared on screen without the other, and former Sun man Gordon Smart also revealed this week that Dec will be going solo when Britain's Got Talent returns in the coming weeks.
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He told Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes on Friday's This Morning: "There are pre-records with Ant involved but we spoke to Simon Cowell's people and what looks like is going to happen is Dec will go on on his own when the show returns in April."
There have been reports that Ant could be replaced with Scarlett Moffatt and Cat Deeley being suggested as potential replacements.
Gordon added: "It has been a huge week...It is a really interesting time to see what will happen for him next.
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Declan Donnelly cracks gag about Ant McPartlin on his return to I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here after rehab stint
"In two weeks time, next Saturday, he will be back on his own."
However, Eamonn thought Dec was more than capable of hosting by himself.
He said: "Why does he need anyone? He can handle that on his own. You don't dilute the brand, it's quite logical. Declan is a great presenter on his own anyway."
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