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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

Ant and Dec explain reason for not having to social-distance during This Morning appearance

Many of us have still been waiting to hug our family and friends due to the coronavirus outbreak.

So This Morning fans may have been a little confused to see popular presenting duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnely avoiding social-distancing.

All while hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield had to keep two-metres apart.

But, they were quick to explain the reasoning, comparing themselves to Premiership footballers.

The Geordie duo explained that they are currently filming for Britain's Got Talent, which returns with pre-reocorded shows this Saturday, before moving on to this year's I'm A Celebrity.

"We're in a cohort," Ant said when quizzed by a very jealous Holly and Phil who still aren't able to work closely together.

"We're working on Britain's Got Talent and other things at the moment.

"So we get tested every four days."

Dec joked: "We're like premiership footballers... that's where the similarity ends.

"We get tested down the throat and up the nose. Basically our households are connected and we form a cohort."

Holly and Phil were able to get in on the hugging action (ITV)

Ant also added: "We can sit next to each other and stroke each other. We have to be careful as to where we go and who we see..."

Encouraging Dec to joke: "Nothing new there."

So that Holly and Phil didn't feel left out, producers bought in a "cuddle curtain," which had been designed with specialist armholes and a plastic barrier.

Watching from the sofa, Ant and Dec jokingly remarked: "What a bizarre touching moment."

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV.

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