Britain's Got Talent auditions: Ant and Dec are BACK as they finally reunite

McPartlin has taken almost a year off work following a drink driving conviction
The Weekender

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Ant and Dec are back! Ant McPartlin has finally reunited with presenting partner Declan Donnelly after a 10 month career hiatus.

The Geordie duo joined forces once more for the first auditions for Britain’s Got Talent, which are taking place in London today.

McPartlin and Donnelly were all smiles as they shared a selfie on their official Twitter account this afternoon, cheerfully captioning it: "The boys are back in town!"

McPartlin has taken an extended break from the public eye following a drink driving incident last March and a stint in rehab.

The star was present for the auditions for last year’s edition of the hit ITV contest, which were filmed before his arrest, but Donnelly hosted the subsequent live shows alone.

He then went solo for the finale of Saturday Night Takeaway, with assistance from Stephen Mulhern and Scarlett Moffatt.

McPartlin also missed out on last year’s I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here in order to focus on his health, prompting Holly Willoughby to step in as Donnelly’s co-presenter.

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly return to Britain's Got Talent 2019

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The 43-year-old is expected to return to the jungle for I’m A Celebrity later this year, but Saturday Night Takeaway remains on hiatus to ensure that the presenter has enough time to prioritise his recovery.

The duo were recently nominated for the Best Presenter trophy at the National Television Awards, which are set to take place on January 22. If they win, it will be their 18th consecutive victory.

Fellow nominee Piers Morgan was less than impressed to see the pair receive an awards nod, as the Good Morning Britain presenter claimed that McPartlin had been “sitting on his backside.”

“I love Ant but come on, really? Really, British public?” he said. “You’re going to give the award again to the guy who hasn’t done any work this year?”

Britain’s Got Talent is expected to return to ITV in spring.

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