The presenter missed the live shows of the 2018 series after stepping back from his TV commitments following his drink drive arrest last March
BRITAIN'S Got Talent viewers rejoiced as Ant McPartlin made an emotional return to TV for the first time in a year tonight.
The 43-year-old presenter missed the live shows of the 2018 series after stepping back from his TV commitments following his drink drive arrest last March, leaving his presenting partner Declan Donnelly to present them alone for the first time in the show's history.
Ant took the rest of the year off to focus on his health and wellbeing but finally returned to our screens this evening with Dec, 43, and fans were delighted to see the duo back together in their rightful place.
Taking to Twitter, one wrote: "Aww missed Ant.....glad he’s back @antanddec @BGT."
Another added: "I’m so happy Ant is back!!!!! It wasn’t the same without you."
While a third tweeted: "I’m loving having Ant and Dec on my tv! I really have missed both of them!!"
Ant had previously only been seen on TV briefly while he accepted a National Television Award with Dec back in January.
The presenter was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving in March last year and later pleaded guilty to the offence at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court.
He was banned from driving for 20 months and fined £86,000 and soon after, he announced plans to take the rest of the year off to focus on his recovery.
This meant Dec was left to host I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! with Holly Willoughby, before Ant resumed work on BGT in January.
Ahead of tonight's show, Ant's BGT co-star Amanda Holden revealed the "sweet moment" when he returned to the programme at the auditions.
Speaking to The Sun, she said: "There's a very sweet moment where a little girl in Ant's arms says, 'I missed ya,'
"He’s like, 'I missed you too pet, I missed you too.'"
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