Let’s crack on... I’ve twice as much to do
Dec vows to stand by his troubled TV partner – then begins f irst ever solo show with a typical gag
DECLAN DONNELLY last night appeared on TV without Ant McPartlin for the first time in more than 25 years – and joked: ‘Let’s crack on, I’ve got twice the amount of work to do.’
Dec, 42, presented the pair’s popular Saturday Night Takeaway on ITV by himself following Ant’s high-profile fall from grace.
However, The Mail on Sunday understands that Dec has promised his best friend that he will wait for him while he undergoes rehab. Instead of pursing a solo career, he has pledged to help rebuild ‘Brand Ant and Dec’.
A source close to the star said: ‘Performing without Ant has been a huge deal for Dec – he has been nervous all week. But he has promised Ant that he has absolutely no plans to replace him and he will
‘He certainly isn’t going to ditch his pal’
save his role by going it alone until he gets better. He is thinking of it as keeping his seat warm.
‘While it has been a difficult time for Dec, he just wants his friend back and he has made assurances that there is no rush and he most certainly isn’t going to ditch him. They are in this together.’
McPartlin, 42, is back in rehab b and likely to be off screen until the e end of the year following a car r crash two weeks ago and alle- gations of drink-driving.
Last night’s show was the first of f two episodes of Saturday Night t Takeaway that Dec will front alone. He was supported by a host of celebrities, including show regulars Scarlett Moffatt and Stephen Mulhern, who both had bigger roles. They were also joined by comedian Stephen Merchant and singer Paloma Faith, while Irish band The Script was drafted in for a live singalong.
Dec, who last week announced he is expecting his first child with wife Ali Astall, will also present the live shows of Britain’s Got Talent alone later this year, and friends say if Ant is not ready to return in time for I’m A Celebrity shortly before Christmas, Dec will host that solo too.
Next week Dec will fly to Florida for t he Sat urday Night Takeaway finale.
Speaking of his decision to perform alone, he said: ‘While I never thought I’d be in this position, after much discussion and careful consideration we’ve decided that the remaining two shows of this series of Saturday Night Takeaway 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.’
Ant will appear at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with drink-driving.
He has previously sought help for alcohol abuse, an addiction to prescription drugs and depression.