Ant McPartlin’s ‘triumphant’ return to Britain’s Got Talent looks to have been watered down as the show prepares to return following the star’s drink-drive shame.
The 43-year-old TV host was reintroduced to the long-running ITV talent show earlier this year when filming for the imminent 13th season kicked off in London in January.
Co-host Declan Donnelly, 43, provided an emotional introduction to the star - while the live studio audience met his appearance with wild applause, deafening cheers, and screams of “We love you, Ant!”
But the celebratory scenes have been omitted form the final version of the first episode - set to air tonight - and after public opinion shifted against the star.
Those who have had an early first look at the new series have noted that Ant returns to the show without much fanfare in the edited material.
It marks the first appearance of Ant in his role as host for almost a year - after he was caught and charged with drink driving last year following his involvement in a smash while twice over the legal limit for drinking in an accident that left a young girl in hospital.
Leaked footage form the January audition had shown Ant receiving a hero’s welcome as Dec introduced him to the live studio audience along to rousing music and glittering background effects.
Alesha Dixon says Ant is 'final piece in the puzzle' for Britain's Got Talent
Ant also hammed up his return, declaring at the time: “I’ve missed you all. As for you [Dec], I’ve missed you. Thank you very much, what a warm welcome… What a great show to come back to, I’m thrilled, I’m over the moon. Shall we move on before I cry?”
Show overlord Simon Cowell also made special mention to Ant during the filming - saying: “We missed you; it wasn’t the same. I mean, even though Dec was brilliant, it still wasn’t the same… So on behalf of all of us, welcome back, we’re family.”
But all trace of these interactions has been cut from preview footage from the new episode.
Simon Cowell opens up about BGT audition that was 'so bad' he almost walked out
When footage from the recording leaked at the start of the year, there was fury from former fans of the star - with many blasting the show for giving the convicted criminal an easy return to work.
“I don’t understand all the support this drink driving junkie is getting. He should’ve been sacked, but instead gets a year off work and is welcomed with open arms back to work,” one unimpressed viewer of the leaked footage commented online.
Following the drink-drive incident, many other fans turned on Ant following his treatment of long-suffering wife, Lisa Armstrong, 42.
Amanda Holden horrified by scariest act in BGT history as woman turns into ghost
The make-up artist stood by Ant - who admitted he had “put her through hell” - when he struggled with drink and drug addictions before being admitted to a rehabilitation facility (and this all before the drink drive scandal).
The marriage later collapsed despite Lisa standing by her man, and - to add insult to injury, some might say - Lisa was subsequently fired from make-up duties on BGT while convicted criminal Ant was welcomed back.
Ant’s star power has also been called into question since he stepped down from all TV commitments last year after this drink-drive incident.
Fans of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! saw the Geordie star effortlessly replaced by Holly Willoughby - with the show going on to enjoy its highest ratings ever without Ant involved at all.
