Suzuki drops Ant and Dec from its adverts after drink-drive charge

♦ Car company Suzuki has axed its advertising deal with Ant Mcpartlin and Declan Donnelly, two days after Mcpartlin was charged with drink-driving.

In a statement the firm said it will continue to sponsor the last two episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway but will no longer show its commercials in which the duo drive around giving away cars.

“Suzuki are withdrawing their advertising campaign with Ant and Dec,” the statement said. “No further material featuring the duo will be aired and Suzuki’s endorsement deal with the pair has come to an end. We agree ... that it was the correct decision not to broadcast Saturday Night Takeaway this weekend.”

Mcpartlin will appear in court next month charged with drink-driving following his arrest on Sunday.

Donnelly, who will host Saturday Night Takeaway without him, wrote on the duo’s Twitter page: “After much discussion and careful consideration we’ve decided that the remaining two shows ... will go ahead. We made a promise to take hundreds of deserving winners to Florida to watch the series finale, and we will honour that.”