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​Saturday Night Takeaway Has Been Postponed Until 2020

Niamh Spence

Published 
| Last updated 

​Saturday Night Takeaway Has Been Postponed Until 2020

Featured Image Credit: PA Images/ITV/Saturday Night Takeaway

Ant McPartlin has confirmed he will taking the rest of 2018 off as he continues his rehab treatment.

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In a statement released to The Sun, Ant and Declan Donnelly have made the decision not to run Saturday Night Takeaway next year so that the Geordie presenter can make a full recovery.

Pre-production work and filming on the show would normally begin around September time but production staff were today told of the decision to cancel next year's series.

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Credit: ITV
Credit: ITV

Forty-two-year-old Ant 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.

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"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."

This also means that Ant will not be returning to host I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! this year.

Credit: ITV
Credit: ITV
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Dec announced that he will still be presenting the 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 Ant will return to work in time for next year's Britain's Got Talent but insist no pressure will be put on him to return until he is 100 per cent ready.

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Credit: PA Images
Credit: PA Images

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."

Topics: Ant McPartlin, Celebrity News

Niamh Spence
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