Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly will begin filming for a new series of Saturday Night Takeaway after Ant took almost two years off from the show following his drink-drive arrest in March 2018, The Mirror reports.
The Geordie duo will be back on viewers screens together after Dec was forced to present the final two episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway on his own in the same year as Ant’s arrest.
ITV decided to give the entertainment programme a rest while Ant stepped down from his broadcasting commitments.
Saturday Night Takeaway did not air this year but will return in early 2020 for a brand new series where both Ant and Dec will feature.
During his recovery, Ant also missed last year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
Holly Willoughby stepped into Ant’s shoes and joined Dec down under for the 2018 series which saw Harry Redknapp be crowned King of the Jungle.
Ant returned to viewers screens in April where he presented Britain’s Got Talent alongside screen partner Dec.
I’m A Celeb fans will also get to see Ant back where he belongs next to Dec for the new series of the reality show later this year.
Discussing Ant’s return to Saturday Night Takeaway, sources have revealed bosses can’t wait to get started off filming.
“There’s a real buzz around the show,” an insider told The Mirror.
“It promises to be bigger and better than ever. As much as Dec did a great job on his own, it just wasn’t the same without Ant.”
Fans of I’m A Celeb will be treated to a comical skit in the new series which will show the Geordie duo making a light-hearted reference to Ant’s return.
The mini-series titled Two Men and a Boat will see the pair attempt to sail to Australia but get caught up in hilarious hijinks along the way.
Ant decided to take a break from his TV work following a car crash which led to his drink-driving arrest.
As a result of the arrest the Geordie presenter was fined £86,000 and given a 20-month driving ban.
Ant later revealed he would be taking time out from his TV commitments to focus on seeking treatment for addiction.
ITV bosses decided to give Saturday Night Takeaway a break for a year instead of airing the show with just Dec as the presenter.
At the time of the announcement, bosses made the decision because “neither Ant and Dec nor ITV wanted to compromise the quality of the show”.
In other Ant and Dec news, there will be a massive shake-up to I’m A Celebrity: Extra Camp as two hosts step down.
Scarlett Moffatt and Joe Swash have both announced they will not be returning when the show hits screens later this year.
Saturday Night Takeaway is expected to return early 2020 to ITV.
