ANT and Dec have vowed to throw “the party to end all parties” to polish off the last ever Saturday Night Takeaway.
The Geordie duo will shelve ITV’s prime-time entertainment show after 20 series with tonight’s two-hour live extravaganza.
24
As many as 32 celebrities will help Ant and Dec say goodbye on tonight’s showCredit: The Sun
They announced last year they needed a “breather” and have thrown all the gunge, gags and guests left in their locker at this last hurrah.
Ahead of tonight’s finale, Ant McPartlin, 48, said: “I know it’ll be an emotional night but we intend to give Takeaway viewers a party to end all parties.
“It’s genuinely the biggest Saturday Night Takeaway we’ve ever done.
“We’re taking over the whole of TV Centre, it’s going to be chaotic, unpredictable and hopefully very entertaining.”
Dec Donnelly, 48, added: “It’s been mixed emotions all week.
“We feel incredibly proud, grateful and excited to reach series 20.
“Takeaway is the show we always wanted to make — a live, anything-can-happen, prime-time entertainment show like the ones we’d enjoyed growing up.”
Some 32 celebs will help the boys say goodbye on tonight’s show, including Simon Cowell, Girls Aloud, Amanda Holden and Rylan Clark.
Watch the moment Dec CRIES in embarrassment as Olly Murs plays Saturday Night Takeaway prank on him and Ant
And the lads are welcoming back former helpers Ashley Roberts and Kirsty Gallacher for the final decider of the Ant vs Dec challenges.
There will also be a mega singalong with Kaiser Chiefs, Tony Hadley and S Club.
Ant said: “Everyone they asked immediately said yes.”
With a final tease, Ant said: “I don’t want to give away too much but it will be a big goodbye . . . “
And Dec added: “ . . . For now!”
Watch tonight at 7pm on ITV1
LAST SHOWS
24
Every Ant and Dec series of Saturday Night Takewaway has gone out with a bangCredit: �ITV Plc
THE end-of-series shows became epic. Among them were huge bashes at Disneyland Paris in 1995, above, P&O’s Britannia cruise ship in 2016 and Universal Orlando resort in Florida last year.
ANT vs DEC ABSEIL, February 2013
24
The presenting duo showed their bravery as they abseiled down a building from a terrifying heightCredit: Rex
Kirsty Gallacher helmed as the two hosts grappled with ropes and abseiled down 24- storey Kent House studios – then home to ITV – on London’s South Bank.
ANTHONY JOSHUA’S CHEESEBOARD ABS February 2020
24
Boxer Anthony Joshua was used as a prop for one of Ant and Dec’s famous pranksCredit: ITV
THE boxer pranked a woman to grate cheese on his washboard abs when he took part in the Get Me Out Of Ear segment.
LIVE WEDDING CEREMONY, February 2022
24
Saturday Night Takeaway has always had a generous side, bringing happiness to members of the publicCredit: ITV
Mum-to-be Vicky Powell had to cancel her wedding to Nick due to the pandemic and they lost more than £20k when their venue went bust – so Ant and Dec threw them an unforgettable bash
ROBBIE WILLIAMS SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN Feb 2013
24
Ant and Dec soaked up the rain as they performed alongside Robbie WilliamsCredit: Rex
FRIEND of the show Robbie sang and tap- danced through the classic movie theme tune, before he was joined by Ant and Dec in raincoats.
LITTLE ANT & DEC WITH POSH SPICE February 2013
24
Little Ant and Dec became stars of the show by pranking unwitting celebritiesCredit: ITV
THE diminutive duo played football with Victoria Beckham and cheekily tried to sign her son Brooklyn for Newcastle United.
THE LADS PRANK THE PUBLIC February 2022
24
The presenting duo were able to send up members of the public with hilarious instructionsCredit: ITV
ANT and Dec went to London’s O2 Arena, where they caused chaos by taking over a video security system.
ICE BATH BETRAYAL, March 2023
24
One freezing cold competition ended up backfiring on Stephen MulhernCredit: Rex
Stephen Mulhern wanted the loser of Ant Vs Dec to take a freezing cold ice bath.
Winner Dec was fuming when Stephen plunged him into the water alongside Ant.
MICHAEL BUBLE DOWN THE PUB March 2013
24
Ant and Dec were able to team up with crooner Michael Buble in un unlikely settingCredit: ITV
THE king of the crooners sang It’s A Beautiful Day while walking to a pub then did a karaoke version of Ant & Dec’s Let’s Get Ready To Rhumble.
THE BIG REUNION, April 2013
24
Saturday Night Takeaway has provided a platform for bands to get back on stageCredit: Planet Photos
Nineties chart toppers 5ive, Atomic Kitten and Blue performed a megamix of hits to celebrate their reunion tour.
Ant and Dec donned their PJ And Duncan gear to join in.
RYLAN’S EUROVISION PRANK, April 2023
24
Rylan Clark was one of the celebrities to fall victim to a Saturday Night Takeaway prankCredit: Rex
Rylan Clark thought he was filming a promo video for the Eurovision Song Contest – but Ant and Dec got up to all kinds of mischief with the help of the studio’s green screen.
AMERICAN IDOL, January 2003
24
Ant and Dec tried their luck on American Idol while in disguiseCredit:
THE hosts pranked Simon Cowell and his fellow American Idol judges when they disguised themselves with wigs and dodgy beards to audition as US rappers.
ED SHEERAN AND THE ROYAL MARINES February 2015
24
Ed Sheeran tried his best to perform to high standard while the duo were distracting himCredit: ITV
Global superstar Ed performed his hit Sing with the military band whilst the lads caused comedy mayhem.
RICHARD MADELEY’S CALENDAR SHOOT February 2015
24
Ant and Dec could not control their laughter asthey pranked Richard MadeleyCredit:
THE king of daytime gamely followed the boys’ hilarious instructions on Get Me Out Of Ear to pose for a calendar – including a tennis scene.
RIVERDANCE, March 2013
24
The presenters tested out their tapdancing skills in front of a live audienceCredit: ITV
Twinkle-toed Ant and Dec performed an energetic routine alongside the Irish dance legends.
The studio audience went wild for their nifty footwork.
CAGED APES, November 2010
24
The joke was on Ant and Dec this time as they were trapped with two fake apesCredit:
THE pals were pranked by their own producers during their What’s Next? item, leaving fans in stitches as they failed to realise the apes they were trapped with were fake.
DERMOT O’LEARY’S SUPERMARKET SPREE April 2017
24
Even Dermot O’Leary was unable to avoid falling victim to the presenter’s jokesCredit: ITV
Dermot was another victim of Get Out Of Me Ear, this time in a supermarket, where he was forced to grapple with bananas and a cucumber.
DEC DONS KYLIE’S GOLD HOTPANTS February 2018
You won’t get this image of Dec dressed up as Kylie Minogue out of your head
POP princess Kylie Minogue sang Spinning Around in the first show of the fifteenth series – and Dec pulled on a pair of her replica pants.
LEPRECHAUN ARREST, March 2016
24
Ant and Dec dressed up as leprechauns for a skit in an Irish pubCredit:
THE comedy duo were nicked while dressed as leprechauns during a Who Shot Simon Cowell? skit as they spied on their suspect Louis Walsh in an Irish pub.
LADY ANTOINETTE AND MISS DONNA LEE, February 2022
24
Ant and Dec took dressing up to a new level when they turned into drag queensCredit: Rex
THE lads transformed into drag queens alongside RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Lawrence Chaney, The Vivienne and Krystal Versace for charity.
Stars on the mic
24
Ant and Dec have teamed up with some of the world’s biggest names through the yearsCredit: Rex
WHILE the lads roped the great and good of British TV into wacky games and skits, the real star power came in the guest announcer booth.
Ant and Dec managed to book an astonishing array of talent to provide a live voiceover for the show.
Big moments included Hollywood legend Quentin Tarantino in September 2007, Uma Thurman in February 2008 and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson the following month.
Paris Hilton offered some glam in February 2009.
After the boys’ break came Lewis Hamilton in March 2013, The Muppets in March 2014 and Oscar winner Olivia Colman in April 2015.
Hollywood leading men brandished the mic, too.
Hugh Jackman and Star Wars’ Mark Hamill appeared in March 2016, and Cuba Gooding Jr was in the booth in March 2018. Even Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl came on in April 2020.
It wasn’t just the Geordie duo who reeled in the big names.
Their mini-mes Little Ant and Dec grilled the likes of Sir Bruce Forsyth, Gerard Butler, George Clooney and Scarlett Johansson.
24
Star Wars Mark Hamill was one of the famous celebrities to star on the showCredit: Rex
24
Olivia Colman joined in the fun too back in 2015Credit: Rex
