Saturday Night Takeaway will NOT return next year with either Ant McPartlin or Declan Donnelly and is postponed until 2020
In a statement released to The Sun the pair said they had made the decision not to make a series next year – leaving Ant to make a full recovery
ANT and Dec will NOT host Saturday Night Takeaway next year after deciding to “rest the series” in 2019 while Ant McPartlin continues his rehab treatment.
In a statement released to The Sun, the pair said they had made the decision not to make a series next year in order to avoid compromising the quality of the show while Ant deals with his addiction issues.
Pre-production work and filming on the show would normally begin imminently, but production staff were today told of the decision to push the next series back by 12 months.
Ant, 42, said: “He said: “My recovery is going very well and for that to continue having spoken to Dec and ITV, I have made the decision to take the rest of the year off.
“I’d like to thank both Dec and ITV for their continued support and I look forward to getting back to work in the new year.”
A source explained: “Takeaway airs in February, but many viewers may not realise that the filming for the sketches and the preparation begins six months earlier which is too soon for Ant.
“Sadly that means they have had to tell the production team today that they’re going to have to push the next run back until the following year.
“It’s a show they’re hugely passionate about personally and they’re extremely close to the team involved too but everyone understands that this is a decision which hasn’t been taken lightly and are supportive. They all wish him the very best.”
The Sun can also confirm that Ant will not be returning to host I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! this year.
Dec Donnelly, 42, announced he will still fly to Australia to front the hugely popular reality show, but no decision has yet been made over whether he will present solo or alongside a stand-in guest host.
He explained: “Whilst I am obviously sad at the thought of being without my best friend in Australia this year, I am proud of the work Ant has been doing privately and I am fully supportive of his decision.
“I’m looking forward to us both being reunited on screen in 2019.”
Insiders hope that he will now return to screens in time for next year’s Britain’s Got Talent - but insist they will still not put any pressure on him to race back until he is fully ready.
ITV Director of Television Kevin Lygo said: ";ITV is completely supportive of Ant taking as much time as he needs in his recovery and of this mutual decision to rest Takeaway in 2019.
“Ant is clearly making good progress and we wish him all the very best and look forward to him returning to ITV next year.
“An announcement on I'm A Celebrity plans will be made in due course.”
Ant has been in recovery treatment since March, after a relapse in his alcohol addiction saw him charged with drink driving.
But he has since been pictured out regularly with his new girlfriend, Anne-Marie Corbett looking increasingly happy and healthier.