Ant McPartlin will make his return to Saturday Night Takeaway – almost two years after last appearing on the show.
The entertainment programme, which will begin early next year, was taken off air last year as Ant, 43, took time out from TV following his drink-drive arrest in March 2017.
Screen partner Declan Donnelly, also 43, was forced to present the final two episodes of Takeaway on his own that year.
ITV execs took the decision to rest the show while Ant recovered from his booze and prescription drug addiction. He took the whole year off – also missing I’m a Celebrity.
He was replaced by Holly Willoughby.
After returning to Britain’s Got Talent in April, it’s been back to business for Ant, who will also co-present I’m a Celeb this year. Sources say bosses can’t wait to get started.
“There’s a real buzz around the show,” says an insider. “It promises to be bigger and better than ever. As much as Dec did a great job on his own, it just wasn’t the same without Ant.”
Ant stepped down from his TV work following his drink-driving arrest after a car crash.
He was fined £86,000 and given a 20-month driving ban.
He announced he would be taking time out from presenting while seeking treatment for addiction.
Execs decided to rest the programmes as “neither Ant and Dec nor ITV wanted to compromise the quality of the show”.
It’s been reported that Ant and Dec have filmed a new I’m a Celeb film for the ITV series, called Two Men and a Boat. It’s said to set a light-hearted note for Ant’s big return.
In the clip, the pair set sail for Australia, but get lost along the way and caught up in extreme weather.
