Is Saturday Night Takeaway cancelled next year and will it return in 2020?
ANT and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway has officially been scrapped for next year in order for Ant McPartlin to continue his rehab treatment.
Award-winning presenting duo Ant and Dec exclusively revealed that they wanted to avoid compromising the quality of the show while Ant deals with his addiction issues. Here's more.
Is Saturday Night Takeaway cancelled next year?
On August 9, 2018, Ant and Dec revealed in a statement to The Sun that they will not be hosting Saturday Night Takeaway next year.
Pre-production work and filming on the show would normally begin imminently, but production staff were told of the decision to push the next series back by 12 months.
A source explained: “Takeaway airs in February, but many viewers may not realise that the filming for the sketches and the preparation begins six months earlier - which is too soon for Ant.
“Sadly that means they have had to tell the production team today that they’re going to have to push the next run back until the following year.
“It’s a show they’re hugely passionate about personally and they’re extremely close to the team involved too - but everyone understands that this is a decision which hasn’t been taken lightly and are supportive. They all wish him the very best.”
Will it return in 2020?
Despite this, both Ant and Dec have explained that they hope to return on screen together next year with plans to reintroduce the show in 2020.
Ant, 42, said: “My recovery is going very well and for that to continue having spoken to Dec and ITV, I have made the decision to take the rest of the year off.
“I’d like to thank both Dec and ITV for their continued support and I look forward to getting back to work in the new year.”
ITV Director of Television Kevin Lygo said: "ITV is completely supportive of Ant taking as much time as he needs in his recovery and of this mutual decision to rest Takeaway in 2019.
most read in TV & Showbiz
Will Ant be presenting I'm A Celebrity?
The Sun can also confirm that Ant will not be returning to host I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! this year.
Dec, 42, announced he will still fly to Australia to front the hugely popular reality show, but no decision has yet been made over whether he will present solo or alongside a stand-in guest host.
He explained: “Whilst I am obviously sad at the thought of being without my best friend in Australia this year, I am proud of the work Ant has been doing privately and I am fully supportive of his decision.
“I’m looking forward to us both being reunited on screen in 2019.”