‘Last ever Saturday Night Takeaway will be emotional’
ANT and Dec admit it will be “an emotional night” as they say goodbye to Saturday Night Takeaway after 20 years.
The Geordie duo, both 48, have decided to “rest” their ITV1 variety show indefinitely after tonight.
Dec said yesterday: “It’s been mixed emotions all week as we’ve been planning and rehearsing this final show.
“We’ve made this two-hour finale a real celebration of all things SNT from over the years.”
Ant said: “I can’t quite believe it will be the last show. I know it will be an emotional night but we intend to give Takeaway viewers a party to end all parties.”
The extended two-hour live show will feature Simon Cowell, Davina McCall, Rylan Clark, Oti Mabuse, Amanda Holden, Dermot O’Leary, Craig David and Alison Hammond. Girls Aloud will be guest announcers.
Dec said: “Everything is supersized. We’ve got three stages – our main studio stage and two brand new purposebuilt stages outside TV Centre.
“I think we might even break the record for the amount of celebrity guests involved in one live TV show.”
The duo also spoke about clips released this week that show them being told what to do by celebs including Holly Willoughby and Olly Murs. Usually it is Ant and Dec doing the telling. Dec said turning the tables had been “excruciating” and “the audience will enjoy watching us squirm”.
Appearing on ITV’s This Morning, the pair gave hope to fans that SNT could return one day. Ant said: “I don’t want to give away too much but it will be a big goodbye...” But then Dec chipped in: “For now!”
He added: “We don’t know when the show will be back and we don’t know if we’ll ever do Ant Vs Dec again, so whoever wins is the ultimate!” They will be back on screen next weekend with Britain’s Got Talent and later in the year with I’m A Celebrity.
But they decided to rest SNT to spend more time with their families.
Ant is due to become a first-time dad when wife Anne-Marie Corbett, 46, gives birth, expected to be in June.
Dec said: “When we came to the decision to rest SNT – and we did it because 20 series feels like a good time to do it – we told our management first. We said, ‘We reserve the right between now and then to change our minds several times. And we have.
“But I think we know in our heart of hearts it’s the right thing to do.” SNT, 7pm tonight, ITV1.