The fan-favourite presenting duo have long been the most popular in television ever since they began their partnership on TV show Byker Grove.
Following the devastating news of Ant’s arrest after he crashed his black Mini in London on Sunday afternoon, Ant and Dec’s future in the entertainment industry has been uncertain.
ITV has already announced that the pair’s staple show Saturday Night Takeaway has been cancelled this Saturday, and the remaining two episodes are also in jeopardy if Dec decides not to host without his long-time partner.
But tonight added to fears for the pair, as their usual ability to sweep the awards board seemed to come to an end when they were snubbed in two categories.
Ant and Dec’s first nomination was Entertainment Programme for Saturday Night Takeaway, and Entertainment Performance for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!, two of ITV’s biggest projects on the schedule.
Instead, BBC show The Last Leg won for the performance and reality TV hit Love Island took the gong for best programme.
Missing out on both at London’s Grosvenor House hotel ceremony, the 42-year-old friends also declined to show up for the prestigious event as Ant has reportedly returned to rehab for treatment.
It is not known whether the award results had already been decided beforehand or if things changed given Ant’s arrest on suspicion of drink driving.
The awards’ hosts Alex Brooker and Adam Hills then took to the stage and were not afraid to reference Ant’s recent troubles.
“It feels like there is someone missing…” Alex said about their colleague Josh Widdecombe.
The pair then paused for a second, looked at each other and the presenter went one step further.
“I don’t know… I think there is room for a cheeky comedy duo on TV at the moment,” he joked.
Audience members were visibly shocked at the ill-timed gag, as awkward chuckling could be heard rippling across the room.
Earlier today, Declan Donnelly was seen for the first time since his best friend had been arrested, appearing troubled.
While he hasn’t spoken publicly about the incident, a source has said that he is “gutted” for Ant and is worrying about the future of his career in entertainment.
“He’s just really upset about it all just on so many levels – gutted and worried about Ant obviously and devastated he’s going back to rehab. But he’s also worried about the future of Ant and Dec,” the insider told The Sun.
The duo’s autobiography, released seven years ago, insisted that Ant and Dec would always stick together, but will things change now?
One line read: “Neither one of us would ever be on our own out there.”
