We’re on high alert for revenge pranks. We always check for hidden cameras
Ant and Dec are expecting the tables to be turned as they return with their Saturday Night Takeaway
The boys are back as Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway blasts on to our screens once again.
Despite the restrictions, the lads defied the odds to produce the last two series. So they’re even more delighted this year that they can do the show as it was intended, with a live studio audience and lots of crazy new segments and pranks – as well as the return of some classics. Here, they tell us what to expect...
How happy does it make you to have a live audience back?
Dec: We could not be more excited. They add so much to the show. We’re really looking forward to welcoming them. Ant: Takeaway is all about the audience, whether that’s the audience at home or in the studio. We’re just thrilled. We hear there are some new games. What can you tell us? Ant: There’s Ring My Bell. We’ll be tapping into video doorbells around the country and having lots of fun. Dec: We’ve also got Kidde-eoke. We love having a laugh with kids, so we’re really looking forward to this. Ant: The biggest event in the studio is the Happiest Minute. This series we’ll be doing that every week as it’s so popular.
Will there still be room for Undercover and Get Out Of Me Ears?
Ant: Absolutely – it wouldn’t be Takeaway without them. We’ve already filmed some Out Of Me Ears, plus we did an Undercover on Jeremy Clarkson down at his farm. You may have read about that in the press. Are the rest of the
team back
– Stephen Mulhern, Fleur East and Andi Peters?
Dec: Yes, Stephen will be back hosting Ant Vs Dec. We can’t quite shake him off. Andi is back to run our competitions, and Fleur will go up and down the country getting viewers involved. We heard a rumour about a game show in a lift… Ant: Yes. The members of the public didn’t know they were in a game show until they got in the lift and it started speaking to them. Every floor has a different game to be played. Dec: We’re on the top floor waiting with the jackpot – a suitcase of money if you make it all the way. And you were filming at the O2? Dec: Before, we’ve hijacked a coffee drive-through and photo booths but this year we took over the O2’s security checkpoints. We messed with the the bag scan, face recognition and body scanners. Much to the public’s frustration.
And what’s this year’s mini-serial?
Ant: It’s called The Polter Guys – it’s our homage to Ghostbusters. Dec has sold his soul to the devil in return for Ant and Dec’s television success. But the devil comes back for his soul. Dec: It’s a cameo fest. We have Jo Brand, Omid Djalili, Roman Kemp, Fred Sirieix, Tom Allen, Sally Phillips. Rob Delaney plays the devil and he is devilishly good. Have you started planning the End Of The Show Shows?
Dec: We’ve started rehearsing and some are quite elaborate. One is something we’ve never done before.
You’ve pranked loads of celebrities. Do you ever worry that they will try to get their revenge on you? Surely Bradley
Walsh must have his eye on you?
Ant: Always! We thought for a while Gordon Ramsay would. He was very angry when we pranked him in LA. If a taxi we’re in takes a wrong turn, we immediately think it’s an Undercover on us. Dec: Even in a restaurant when the waiter spills a drink, we worry. We’re always checking for hidden cameras. Who would be your dream guest on the show?
Ant: Sir Elton John on to sing his song Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting. He’s on our wish list. l Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway is on tonight, STV,
7pm.