ITV viewers were quick to voice their displeasure minutes into the network's coverage of England's FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Panama, as surprise guests Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly appeared on screen. Host Laura Woods interviewed the duo, known for presenting I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, about their thoughts on the fixture and past World Cup memories, but many fans took to X to complain.
Viewers threaten to switch off
Numerous viewers remarked that they were 'turning off' ITV's coverage after the cameo. "Ant and Dec FFS, I'll switch back on at 9.55," one user said. Another echoed: "Ant and Dec appeared. I switched to Five Live." A third added: "Ant and Dec being 'interviewed' during the World Cup may be the strangest thing I've seen during this whole event." One fan exclaimed: "Surely they could have got better than ant and dec for the World Cup, so annoying!"
Mixed reactions from fans
While many criticised the appearance, one fan championed the pair, insisting: "Ant and Dec are much better than Neville and Carragher." Others questioned the decision, with one viewer asking: "No football people available tonight?" and another sarcastically remarking: "I was just saying to myself 'We really don't see Ant and Dec on the tellybox enough'."
England's World Cup campaign
England had already secured their passage to the last 32 after victories over Croatia and Ghana earlier in the week. The match against Panama kicked off at 10pm UK time (5pm US time) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The last England match, a 0-0 draw against Ghana, took place at Gillette Stadium in Boston.
Scotland's performance
Elsewhere in the tournament, Scotland, after defeating Haiti 1-0 in their opening match, have since lost to Morocco and Brazil. FIFA World Cup 2026 is available to watch on ITV and ITVX.
