Saturday Night Takeaway keep Ant McPartlin in the opening credits but viewers are left baffled as Declan Donnelly fails to mention him
SATURDAY Night Takeaway bosses kept Ant McPartlin in the opening credits of tonight’s but viewers were left baffled when Declan Donnelly failed to mention him in his introduction.
Dec opened the show alone but barely said a word about his absent co-host.
He got a standing ovation as he came down the stairs and was seen getting big hugs from the studio audience.
Dec, 42, then went on to give his opening speech and only made reference to his absent partner when he vowed to “crack on” and joke that he’s now got “double the work” to do.
During the show, he also made a crack about “having to do everything myself” but Ant was never mentioned by name.
Viewers flocked to Twitter to declare they couldn’t understand why Dec hadn’t mentioned his best mate, who is recovering in rehab after his drink drive charge.
One wrote: “Can someone please mention Ant for goodness sake?!? #elephantintheroom #SaturdayNightTakeaway.”
Another tweeted: “Ten minutes in and still no mention of Ant. #SaturdayNightTakeaway.”
A third wrote: “No mention of Ant?. You have to address he’s missing surely?? #SaturdayNightTakeaway.”
Fans had been expecting Dec to talk about his missing pal and some reports suggested he was planning an emotional speech to wish Ant well.
Tonight’s episode of Saturday Night Takeaway is the first time Dec has appeared on TV without his co-star Ant since they first made their television debut in Byker Grove in 1989.
Dec was swarmed with support by his fans on Friday as he announced he was back to work by tweeting: “Back in studio today preparing your #SaturdayNightTakeaway for tomorrow night. Have a great Good Fridaay! D x.”
Starting their careers as actors, the duo had a brief musical career before landing their ideal job of hosting children’s TV show, SMTV: Live.
Over the past few years, the pair have become the faces of British TVs most loved shows –including I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here and Britain’s Got Talent, as well as Saturday Night Takeaway.
Ant – who entered rehab last year following a prescription medication and alcohol addiction – has returned to a facility after relapsing.
He was charged with drink-driving following a collision on March 18th, and is expected to appear in court on April 4th.
Last week’s episode of Takeaway was pulled from the air as a result, and fans took the opportunity to share their favourite clips from the show in its absence as ITV1 aired The Voice in its place.
However, Dec and the production team decided to complete the show’s run and air the remaining two episodes.
In a statement released on the pair’s split official Twitter account, Dec wrote: “Whilst I never thought I’d be in this position, after much discussion and careful consideration we’ve decided that the remaining two shows of this series of Saturday Night Takeaway will go ahead.
“We made a promise to take hundreds of deserving winners to Florida to watch the series finale, and we will honour that.
“Everyone at ITV and the Takeaway team feels we owe it to the audience to complete the series. Dec x.”
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