Declan Donnelly remembers Ant McPartlin during Saturday Night Takeaway’s finale: ‘It’s tinged with sadness’
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have been friends for decades and Dec has proved that even though Ant is not next to him to host Saturday Night Takeaway, he still misses having him while hosting the show. Dec took time out to give a shoutout to his pal during the Saturday Night Takeaway's grand finale.
Following the show’s big musical ending the 42-year-old TV star got up on the stage at the Universal Theme Park in Orlando, Florida and recalled the time when Ant had been arrested for DUI. Dec added that he had been ‘tinged with sadness’ after hearing about the incident and how things turned out to be after that. Despite this, Dec made sure to thank the fans for being supportive and understanding during this.
Thanks for all the love and support, it’s been a series tinged with… well…’ he said. In a video which was obtained by The Sun, a fan can be heard saying We miss Ant!’ To which the Geordie star replied: Yes, we do, we do.' Dec later asked fans to show support for Ant who has decided to take a break from all his projects in order to enter into Rehab.
'Can you all give one round of applause for Ant who is at home,' Dec tells the audience. This comes after Dec became emotional while hosting the show. He tried to remain calm and composed all the while balancing a rollercoaster of emotions that have flooded him ever since Ant made the decision of staying away from the spotlight till the time he seeks help.
“It’s been the weirdest, weirdest show," he said. "But I wanted to say a huge, huge thank you to lots of people here. Most of all I just wanted to thank you, guys." Dec explained how he wasn't sure how the show would go on without Ant by his side. "That reception when I came down the stairs . . . I wasn't sure what was going to happen," he said. "I wasn’t sure how I was going to do or how you were going to react . . . but you carried me all the way through the show. I couldn’t have done it without you guys."
Soon after the show ended, Dec attended the wrap party for the production staff marking the final episode, at ITV’s London Studios. Dec took time out to thank the cast and crew for their support. "To all of tonight’s guests for coming down and spending Saturday night here. Thank you to our amazing production team," he said. “They carried me through the show. To all the crew and staff here at the London Studios, which has been our home, not just for tonight but for the last 20 years."