Holly&Dec: The verdict
» Duo hit it off in big show opener » He cracks the gags & takes reins
LEGS DO THIS Dec shows Holly camp before start
sion has been joined by Holly Willoughby!” quipped Dec, a much happier host with someone by his side. Cue cheers and laughter from the crew. “This is so weird,” said Holly, resplendent as always, although she looked slightly like she was off to a funeral.
A trailer showed us an animalthemed outfit, so I’m hoping we’ll see some jungle chic later on.
Ant and Dec have an edge and shorthand that only lifelong best friends can have – Holly can’t beat that. But this was a chance for Dec to take the reins for once, like a big brother. And he did.
Holly was quieter than we’re used to. She played it straight, leaving it to Dec to make all the gags for now.
“Fabulous!” he kept shouting, making Holly giggle and roll her eyes. It was a bit staged, but Dec seemed to relish his new role. “I’ve never actually done it with a girl before,” Dec laughed. More eye rolling from Holly.
She wasn’t as relaxed as she is with Phillip – maybe the banter will develop?
However, their natural matey charm sparkled enough that I can’t imagine the show’s 10 million viewers will turn off.
But if I’ve learned one thing, it’s that this juggernaut of a show is now bigger than them.
It’s not just about Ant and Dec, it’s about Bushtucker Trials, nauseating challenges, fighting over hammocks and screeching from great heights.
Before we knew it, Barrowman was flossing on a speedboat and a helicopter whisked him, Coronation Street’s Sair Khan, ex-EastEnder Rita “I am bricking it” Simons and The Vamps’ guitarist James McVey off to The Edge.
The celebs tackled the show’s highest ever challenge, climbing up two 100m towers at Queensland beauty spot Tanniba Falls, before they could pick their teammates from TV presenter Nick Knowles, Harry Redknapp, The Chase star Anne Hegerty, actor Emily Atack, singer Fleur East and Hollyoaks soap star Malique Thompson-Dwyer. By this point I’m afraid I’d already forgotten that I was supposed to be missing Ant. Sorry, Ant. News of Holly stepping into his shoes split viewers, but Dec needed a new partner and Holly was the obvious choice.
I imagine it will be a tough month for Ant. But he doesn’t need to worry for his job – Holly’s only keeping the seat warm, right?