David Walliams has revealed he was “emotional” as Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly reunited for the new series of Britain’s Got Talent.
Donnelly hosted last year’s live shows alone after McPartlin stepped down from his television commitments to focus on recovery from addiction.
And now BGT judge Walliams has confessed that he was overcome with emotion to see the Geordie duo back together, insisting it was just like old times.
Walliams said: “It was lovely to see when they stepped back on the stage together in London. How excited people were to see them together.
“It was really emotional and I was pleased for them. It was just how it always was.”
Fellow judge Amanda Holden also hailed having McPartlin back, saying that it was “not the same” last year without him on stage for the finals week.
As McPartlin returned to work in January, he told fans: “Oh god, I'm really, really emotional now. I've missed you all. As for you [Dec], I’ve missed you! Thank you for a very lovely welcome.
“What a great show to come back to, I’m thrilled. I’m over the moon. Shall we move on before I cry?”
Last year, BGT fans rallied behind Donnelly and lavished praise on him as he hosted the BGT live shows alone.
The presenter fronted the popular show – which was eventually won by Lost Voice Guy – alone after McPartlin stepped back from his work commitments after being charged with drink-driving. He was later banned from the road for 20 months and fined £86,000.
The duo have fronted BGT since its inception in 2007 and have a golden buzzer option on the show which allows them to send an act directly to the competition's live semi-final.
Britain's Got Talent starts Saturday April 6 at 7:15pm on ITV. Followed by Britain's Got More Talent at 8:35pm on ITV2.
