Saturday Night Takeaway: Dec thanks fans for ‘lovely messages’ as he is congratulated for first solo stint amid Ant’s drink-driving arrest

Thanks: Fans said Dec 'smashed it'
PA
Chloe Chaplain1 April 2018
The Weekender

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Declan Donnelly has thanked fans for their support as he was seen being congratulated by friends following a successful solo stint on Saturday Night Takeaway.

The presenter was without his normal sidekick after Ant McPartlin stepped down from his TV commitments when he was charged with drink driving earlier this month.

But following a seamless 90-minute show, he posted a tweet thanking fans for “all your lovely messages” adding: “They are VERY much appreciated, I’m glad you enjoyed the show.”

Hinting at his nervousness about presenting alone, he wrote: “I didn’t sleep an awful lot last night so I’m off to bed!”

The tweet came as photos emerged of him being hugged by friends who appeared to congratulate him on his solo success.

During the show, he did not explicitly mention his friend’s arrest but, at one point, he told a contestant that the news had been "unavoidable" in recent.

He also joked he had "twice the amount of work to do" and later added: "I'll have to do it myself, like everything else this week," in a quip related to improving guest musician Paloma Faith's performance.

Dec poses for a selfie with guest stars on tonight's show
Saturday Night Takeaway/Twitter

Later when presenting a segment from an empty ITV studio next to the Saturday Night Takeaway's, Dec joked not to worry - "It's not going that badly".

Ant was not completely absent from the programme. He appeared in the opening titles and also in the continuation of pre-recorded sketch Saturday Knight Takeaway which also starred Joanna Lumley in her regular role.

Although officially hosting solo, Dec was supported by presenter Davina McCall as part of a new segment related to McCall's own show, This Time Next Year.

Dec was without his sidekick although Ant did appear in a segment for the show
ITV

Regular support presenters Stephen Mulhern and Scarlett Moffatt also lent a helping hand as did guest announcer Stephen Merchant who also referenced Ant's absence on several occasions.

He asked Dec if he needed a hand presenting as there was "a little bit of space on the stage", and joked at one point "I don't care what the producers are saying back here, I think you're doing a great job."

Following the airing of the pre-recorded sketch which saw Ant and Dec reunited, Merchant said: "That other guy was good, you should do more stuff with him."

Ant McPartlin attending a police station in Kingston following his arrest
PA

Dozens of fans - including fellow broadcasters Piers Morgan, Susanna Reid and Dermot O'Leary - congratulated Dec on his successful performance on social media.

O'Leary wrote on Twitter that Dec had "nailed it" - a call echoed by a number of other broadcasters including Rylan Clark and Gok Wan.

Reid wrote: "He's really easing into it and getting more comfortable as he realises how much the audience is with him."

Hundreds of viewers agreed saying he had done Ant "proud".

@Mitchinator9339 wrote on Twitter: "Dec did such a good job on £SaturdayNightTakeaway tonight.

"I know Ant would be proud of you. Here's hoping that he will do as great a job at Florida next week."

@SamdySonxxxxx posted: "@antanddec @itvtakeaway Dec you did yourself & Ant proud, it was a fabulous but emotional show, keep smiling. looking forward to next week."

@LauraJH55 tweeted: "So fantastic watching £SaturdayNightTakeaway tonight, Dec @antanddec did amazing with a brilliant end of the show show."

Fourty-two-year-old Dec who recently confirmed he is going to be a father, will also present next week's final episode in Florida.

McPartlin has stepped back from his TV commitments and returned to rehab after he was charged with drink-driving earlier this month.

He will appear in court on April 4.

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