Declan Donnelly in hysterics on night out with Stephen Mulhern in Florida before hosting Saturday Night Takeaway finale without Ant McPartlin
DECLAN Donnelly looked back on top form as he headed for a night out with Stephen Mulhern in Florida ahead of this weekend’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
It’s been a tough few weeks for 42-year-old Dec, after his best pal and co-star Ant McPartlin went back to rehab following his “drink-drive” crash.
But after getting his first solo show out of the way, it seems Dec is now feeling far more relaxed about this weekend’s grand finale.
He flew out to the US earlier this week and met up with Stephen and mutual friends for dinner last night.
As they sat down to enjoy the balmy evening, Dec smiled as he drank a glass of white wine.
However, when funny-man Stephen pulled him away for a quick chat, something he’d said certainly tickled him.
As Stephen gesticulated and joked, Dec burst out laughing and started to hold his chest.
His head rolled back and he lifted his head to the show as he laughed loudly at his co-star’s hilarious quip.
As Stephen started to laugh, Dec turned away and held his head in his hands as he tried to control his mirth.
Fans will be pleased to see Dec smiling again after he revealed he was suffering so badly with nerves last week he struggled to sleep.
His first solo SNT went down a storm and he took time to thank his fans for the support they’d offered to him and Ant in a speech when the cameras stopped rolling.
And viewers supported his solo efforts as a peak of 8.3million people tuned in.
The success of his performance means Dec will now return to Britain’s Got Talent to host the show alone.
Yesterday The Sun exclusively confirmed how Dec would be a one-man band throughout the final stages of the competition.
With just days to go before the finale of SNT, Dec will spend the next few days rehearsing with Stephen and Scarlett Moffatt.
Today Saturday Night Takeaway bosses confirmed The Sun’s exclusive report and announced Hollywood legend Denise Richards would be on the show.
Craig David will also fly out to the US to perform on the end of the show, show.
Yesterday we revealed pictures of the incredible set being built on the edge of the river at Universal Orlando's resorts - including three huge stages.
A TV insider said: “Saturday Night Takeaway are determined to make sure the series finishes on a high.
“There are some great personalities joining Dec for the grand finale.
“Denise and Craig are both household names and boast the required amount of star power for a TV event of this scale.
“Next week's episode is on track to be even more amazing than last year's send off at Disney World, even with just Dec at the helm.”
Ant was charged with drink-driving following a collision on March 18.
Got a story? email digishowbiz@the-sun.co.uk or call us direct on 02077824220.
We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.