BE BGT LONE STAR

His biggest test so far without Ant

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DECLAN Donnelly goes it alone again without TV sidekick Ant McPartlin as the new series of Britain’s Got Talent launches this week.

The pair, inset below, have fronted the hit ITV talent series together since 2007. But with Ant on indefinite leave in rehab for his alcohol addiction, and facing a drink-drive charge, Dec will have to host another show on his own. He has just finished the latest series of their Saturday Night Takeaway, presenting the last two episodes by himself. Eight million viewers watched the live finale on Saturday night, which was broadcast from Florida. After the cameras stopped rolling, Dec addressed crowds at Universal Orlando Resort theme park and confessed he was sad about having to front a show without Ant for the first time in the award-winning duo’s 25-year career. Dec said: “Thanks for all the love and support, it’s been a fun series tinged with sadness.” When one fan shouted out “We miss Ant”, he confided: “Yes, we do, we do.” And he added: “Can you all give a round of applause for Ant who is at home. “Thank you so much, I know he will appreciate that a great deal.” However, his stint has proved he can cope with fronting a live TV show by himself. And the star will have to do the same again on BGT, which starts this Saturday. Both Ant and Dec filmed the audition stages of the contest – where they chat to the acts before and after their performances – back in January. This footage will still air, but as the competition reaches its live semi-finals and grand final, Dec will present the show alone. A source said: “Ant will be out of action for some time and no-one is even talking about work to him. “Dec’s a real pro and has proved he can cope with live TV without Ant so it’s all systems go when the BGT live shows come around.”