Declan Donnelly held it all together without Ant McPartlin for the first time and still shone on Saturday Night Takeaway
Even with the pressure Dec's 20-odd years of TV experience kicked proved he can hold down the fort
Even with the pressure Dec's 20-odd years of TV experience kicked proved he can hold down the fort
STEPPING out solo for the first time, Dec must have been feeling considerable trepidation as he took to the Saturday Night Takeaway stage last night.
Prior to Saturday night, Dec had never presented a show without Ant at his right hand side.
Luckily, 20 odd years of experience kicked in and he delivered a flawless performance.
His initial nod to Ant’s absence - while too fleeting for some - was in keeping with the cheerful, light-hearted tone that has drawn millions to the show.
And he succeeded in delivering on his own the spirit of fun that the boys are known for.
As the programme went on, assistant presenters Stephen Mulhern and Scarlett Moffatt stepped in at a handful of points where a co-host was missed.
But in the absence of Ant and Dec’s show, this was very much the Dec show.
He was the ringleader, and the message delivered loud and clear to the audience was that no-one is stepping into Ant’s shoes until he is ready to return.
Despite the inevitable pressure, Dec carried the weight of the pair’s brand admirably.
And his triumph bodes well for the Britain’s Got Talent live semi-finals next month – which Ant is currently expected to miss while recovering in rehab.
But based on last night, Dec is more than capable of holding the fort until his partner is recovered and well enough to take his place beside him again.