SATURDAY Night Takeaway fans are convinced the series has been canned for good after spotting a hugely-emotional “clue.”
Viewers admitted they were left “genuinely heartbroken” as the ITV show wrapped after 20 years.
Show anchors Ant and Dec, both 48, fought back tears during the two-hour live finale of the much-loved ITV prime-time entertainment hit.
And hardcore Saturday Night Takeaway loyals now reckon their sheer emotion is a sign the ITV game show won’t be back.
One took to DigitalSpy to comment: “Although they don’t want to say it publicly, I think their reaction is a sign that this really is the last ever episode.”
A second agreed and put: “I honestly think it is. Going out with a bang.”
A third then mused: “I suspect that there may be Christmas specials.”
Another agreed and added: “It does but never say never. Give it a couple of years and who knows.”
A fan then noted: “Dec had a proper wobble there!”
One then surmised: “Well if that really was the end then it was perfect.
“Well done Ant & Dec. See everyone maybe next week for BGT”
They also noted how the duo’s appearance on This Morning last week also indicated the schedule change was final.
Fond farewell
Girls Aloud, Josie Gibson, Scarlett Moffatt, Ashley Roberts and Davina McCall among the host of famous faces showing up for the farewell episode.
Emotional Declan told the audience: “We’ve truly adored every second . . . what’s happened is beyond our wildest dreams.”
Ant said: “This is the kind of show Dec and I watched every Saturday night growing up, so it’s been an honour and a privilege to have made this show and to have been part of your Saturday nights for over 20 years.”
Dec added: “When we started back in 2002, we thought we’d be lucky if we got to do this for a couple of years — what’s happened is beyond our wildest dreams.
“We’ve truly adored every second but there’s one thing we’ve never, ever forgotten and that’s the fact this isn’t our show — it’s your show.
“So we’d like to say a massive thank you to you, our incredible audience.”
Ant and Dec's incredible career
ANT McPartlin and Declan Donnelly met on the set of Byker Grove in 1990.
The two went on to have chart success under their characters’ names – including their 1994 No1 smash hit Let’s Get Ready To Rhumble.
They haven’t looked back since then, going on to present some of the most popular shows on TV.
Here’s a rundown of some of their most popular shows – plus one “dud”.
- The Ant & Dec Show – this late afternoon kids’ entertainment series ran from 1995-1996 for 17 episodes
- Ant & Dec Unzipped – the twosome jumped from ITV to Channel 4 for this children’s sketch show in 1997
- SM:TV Live– the duo teamed up with Cat Deeley in 1998 for Saturday morning mayhem including the classic Wonkey Donkey game
- Friends Like These – the Geordie pair hopped channels again, landing on BBC One to present this game show from 1999 until 2001
- Pop Idol– before The X Factor there was Pop Idol, which ran for two seasons in 2001 and 2002 and saw Michelle McManus and Will Young crowned the winners
- I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here – the reality TV show began in 2002, with Dec presenting all 23 seasons, even one without sidekick Ant as Holly Willoughby stepped up
- Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway – this show also began in 2002, but the lads said the 2024 offering would be their last
- PokerFace – Ant and Dec created this game show which aired from 2006-2007. with a top prize of £1million.
- Britain’s Got Talent – the TV series began in 2007 with the pair’s backstage antics loved by fans. They also took part in silly competitions on Stephen Mulhern‘s ITV spin-off Britain’s Got More Talent
- Red Or Black – the show only aired for two seasons in 2011 and 2012. It was one of the pair’s rare “flops” with Dec admitting “we got it wrong”
- Ant & Dec’s Limitless Win – the pair had another success on their hands when this show hit screens in 2022
In demand
Meanwhile, one star who was noticeably absent from the show was Amanda Holden.
Her no show was explained due to “conflicting schedules” yet also came amidst her war with words with former X Factor favourite Sharon Osbourne, 71.
The Britain’s Got Talent judge, 53, branded Sharon “bitter and pathetic” the day before after discussing the red-head’s comments about her pal Simon Cowell while in the Celebrity Big Brother house.
Sharon then issued a stinging statement as she gave Amanda “an education” on what she deemed to be the facts.
Mrs O wrapped her lengthy post on X with the cutting comment: “The bottom line, Amanda, is, that you’ll never be in my league, and you’ve picked on the wrong ugly stepsister.”
