The broadcaster announced Saturday Night Takeaway has been cancelled after Ant and Dec’s spokesperson revealed the 42-year-old would be returning to his treatment.
Instead, The Voice UK will be pushed back to an earlier time of 7pm rather than its usual time slot at 8.30pm.
The Emma Willis-fronted series will be followed by an episode of Through The Keyhole at 9pm.
Ant failed a breathalyser test yesterday after smashing into a green Mini containing a couple and their young child and a BMW.
The child, a girl aged 3, was taken to hospital as a precaution after the I’m A Celebrity star apparently lost control of his Mini with his mother inside.
The star was pictured being taken away by police at 4pm on Sunday evening and was videoed arriving back at his house in the early hours of this morning.
He didn’t address the media, who were outside his house, but instead chose to go straight inside followed by two other people.
Today, Ant and Dec released a statement which read: ““Ant has decided to go back into treatment and step down from his current TV commitments.
“He has spoken with Dec and ITV today and asked for time off for the foreseeable future.
“As such ‘Saturday Night Takeaway’ will not be going ahead this Saturday.”
An ITV spokesperson added: “ITV has taken a joint decision with Ant and Dec’s team not to broadcast Saturday Night Takeaway this weekend.
“We will be reviewing options for the last two episodes of the series (March 31 and April 7) which would not feature Ant who is taking time off to seek treatment.
“We very much hope that he gets the help that he needs.”
Earlier today, Ant’s ITV colleague Lorraine insisted the star would be going ahead with Saturday Night Takeaway this weekend.
During her self-titled chat show today, Lorraine told viewers: “He will be there on Saturday night though.
“A lot of people are speculation that he won’t be there for Saturday Night Takeaway, he will.
“Unless there is more to it than we all think. I would be very surprised.”
