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Ant and Dec host "different" and "weird" Saturday Night Takeaway from their living rooms amid coronavirus outbreak

Photo credit: Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock
Photo credit: Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock

From Digital Spy

Just a week after the first episode of Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway to air without an audience broke viewer records, the titular hosts returned to present the show from inside their homes in what Dec described as a "very different, very weird" episode.

Talking into cameras from the sofas in their respective living rooms, the duo explained that "for obvious reasons" relating to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, they were unable to broadcast the instalment together from the studio.

"But there will no slipping of standards, that's why we're presenting the show in our suits," Declan Donnelly began, as he glanced over in disgust to see Ant McPartlin dressed in a sweatshirt and tracksuit bottoms.

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Related: Ant & Dec, Rylan Clark-Neal, Stacey Dooley and more join the nation in #ClapForOurCarers to thank NHS

"I'm in my comfies, like the rest of the country watching this show, I've got me special socks on," Ant argued, lifting his foot up to prove he was, in fact, wearing them.

"We realised we were just gonna be staying at home tonight, so we thought why don't we just watch it together and have a laugh at the same time?" Dec told the viewers at home, before demanding Ant go and smarten up.

(Ant got his way later, mind you, as the pair both ditched the formal wear for something much more relaxing).

In between the standard ITV advertisement slots, Ant and Dec introduced the highlights that made up the hour-long episode.

Clips included an edition of 'I'm a Celebrity, Get Out of Me Ear' with This Morning's Richard Madeley, a prank on celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and an 'End of the Show Show' with pop legend Kylie Minogue.

Elsewhere, the final of this season's 'Men in Brown' miniseries revealed that it was Great British Bake Off's Paul Hollywood who was trying to infect the UK with his deadly "squits".

Fans tuning in didn't seem at all bothered by the alternative format. In fact, they just seemed delighted to see the show going ahead in any capacity considering how many TV productions have shut down completely amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

"Huge thank you @antanddec and all the team for Saturday Night Takeaway tonight," one Twitter user wrote. "Really appreciate all of your efforts to give us all some laughs and escapism in the middle of this global crisis. Stay safe."

"Thanks for another great Saturday Night Takeaway it's exactly what the country needs right now," another added.

A third tweeted: "Really enjoyed tonight's show guys, thanks for being there and making us laugh again. You looked good in ya comfys by the way. Stay safe & well."

Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway returns on April 4 at 7pm on ITV.


The information in this story is accurate as of the publication date. While we are attempting to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, the situation surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to develop rapidly, so it's possible that some information and recommendations may have changed since publishing.

For any concerns and latest advice, visit the World Health Organisation. If you're in the UK, the National Health Service can also provide useful information and support, while US users can contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.


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