24 February 2024 , 10:00
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Ant McPartlin has spoken about the decision for him and presenting partner Dec Donnelly to "pause" long-running show Saturday Night Takeaway after the upcoming series.
The presenters, both 48, will launch the "final series" of the ITV show this weekend. Ant and Dec have fronted the show, now in its 20th series, since it debuted in 2002.
The pair - who are known for hosting various shows like I'm A Celebrity in their decades-long career together - are set to take a break from the show though after the next series. Ant spoke about the decision in an interview recently.
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly will launch the new series of Saturday Night Takeaway this weekend (ITV/Kieron McCarron/Shutterstock)Ant opened up about the decision to take a break from Saturday Night Takeaway in an interview with Flaunt magazine recently ahead of the new series' launch. Asked what's next for the duo, he said: "A lot, we do the show and then Britain's Got Talent, but on a more personal level, part of the reason we're pausing Takeaway is we need a break ourselves, and we need to spend some time with our family. We've both got children that we need to spend time with for a little bit."
He married his wife Anne-Marie Corbett, 46, in 2021, and she has two children from a previous marriage. Whilst his pal Dec has been married to manager Ali Astall, 45, since 2015. The couple are parents to Isla, five, and Jack, one, who were born in 2018 and 2022 respectively.
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During the interview, Ant said that him and Dec "need time to think" and "step back" to "look at the bigger picture". The former actor suggested that the pair need to decide what they want to do next and figure out the "next phase" of their career, which began with CBBC's Byker Grove.
Ant, who's married to Anne-Marie Corbett, has teased that they want to spend time with their families once the series is over (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
His presenting partner Dec has two children with his wife Ali Astall (Dave Benett/Getty Images for Eli)Ant further stated that they have "lots of ideas" and opportunities available, adding that they need to decide what they do "next" and where the "next chapter begins". He said: "So that's what we're gonna do when Saturday Night Takeaway is out of the way." Ant said that him and Dec will take some time to "reevaluate everything" for the future.
Saturday Night Takeaway returns tonight for its latest series and it's been teased ahead of the launch that there will be "high octane challenges" as well as "live surprises". ITV said: "The upcoming 20th series will have loads of brand new high octane challenges, hilarious hidden camera set ups, new studio games and live surprises, but will also be a momentous magical celebration of all things Takeaway from over the years."
Over the course of the new series, a host of celebrities will take on the role of guest announcer and every episode will "sign off in spectacular style" with some of the "biggest and best performers". The broadcaster adds: "With a series finale to conclude the show unlike any Takeaway has ever done before, expect unmissable live entertainment from start to finish, as Saturday night's most feel-good series returns to kick start the weekend with a bang."
Saturday Night Takeaway returns on ITV and ITVX tonight from 7pm.