Fans have been flooding Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly with demands to bring back Saturday Night Takeaway, weeks before I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! returns to ITV. The demand follows a clip from their podcast, Hanging Out with Ant and Dec, in which they discussed the show with Stephen Mulhern.
Saturday Night Takeaway debuted in 2002, took a hiatus in 2009, and returned in 2013. In 2024, Ant and Dec announced they would step away from the programme, describing it at the time as the "perfect time to pause for a little while and catch our breath". The show last aired two years ago.
Podcast clip sparks fan reaction
During the podcast episode, Stephen Mulhern suggested the pair must often be told the show is missed. Ant revealed: "I got stopped yesterday by a kid on a bike who pulled a skid, took his helmet off and went, 'When's that I think we're coming back?'"
Stephen, who hosts Catchphrase, said: "I don't think people realised how much it would be missed. I think it was a staple of the family's viewing where they felt safe, they could watch it, and there's a must. There's a must. I speak on behalf of the nation. Listen, you need to do something else. You do because it's a loss."
Fans call for return on Instagram
The clip was shared on Ant & Dec's Instagram page and quickly drew comments. @tyronce said: "We need the return of Takeaway!" @littlemisssunshinex7 commented: "Bring back Saturday Night Takeaway! Such fun to watch." @20mich03 replied: "It has to come back ….I don’t know why the lads are doing this to us it’s just cruelty. It was the best show man."
@nicoleandherbestlife wrote: "Yes! Bring it back!!!" @haddy1331 posted: "SNT was the adult version of SMTV. We need joy back on the tele." @ellie_hamilton_xoxo added: "BRING BACK SATURDAY NIGHT TAKEAWAY."
I'm A Celebrity return details
Meanwhile, I'm A Celebrity is expected to return with its 2026 series in early November, following Salford's Angry Ginge being crowned King of the Jungle at the end of last year's series. The planned original start date of Sunday, November 15, has reportedly been pushed back due to ITV's coverage of the UEFA Nations League, with England due to play Spain in Madrid at 8.45pm, clashing with the reported start time for the reality series. Details about the next run in Australia, including which celebrities will take part, remain under wraps.
