Ant and Dec warn last Saturday Night Takeaway will be a tear-jerker as they bid farewell

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly will host their final episode of Saturday Night Takeaway and have issued a warning to fans that it will be an emotional one

Ant and Dec have admitted it will be an emotional night as they sign off from Saturday Night Takeaway.

The Geordie duo have made the decision to rest their ITV1 variety show indefinitely after 20 series over 22 years. A special two-hour show will end the series in style, featuring Simon Cowell, Davina McCall, Rylan Clark, Oti Mabuse, Amanda Holden, Dermot O’Leary, Craig David and Girls Aloud.

Dec said: “It’s been mixed emotions all week as we’ve been planning and rehearsing this final show. Saturday Night Takeaway is very special to us. We’ve made this two-hour finale show a real celebration of all things SNT from over the years.”

Ant added: “I can’t quite believe it will be the last show, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed making this final series. I know it’ll be an emotional night but we intend to give Takeaway viewers a party to end all parties!”

The presenters, both 48, also spoke about clips released on Thursday which showed them being told what to do by celebs including Holly Willoughby and Olly Murs. Dec said it was excruciating to take part, adding: “The audience will enjoy watching us squirm.”

He said: “Everything is supersized for this very special live farewell show – we’ve got three stages, our main studio stage and two new purpose built-stages outside. I think we might break the record for the amount of celebrities involved in one live TV show.”

The pair have given hope to fans that Saturday Night Takeaway could return one day. Referring to the end-of-show sequence in the finale, Ant said: “I don’t want to give away too much but it will be a big goodbye...” Dec added: “For now!”

Speaking on This Morning, the pair also said they were unsure when or if the show would return. Dec said: “We don’t know when the show will be back and we don’t know if we will ever do Ant versus Dec again, so whoever wins is the ultimate!”

The pair have said they want to spend more time with their families. But they will be back next weekend with Britain’s Got Talent.

Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway is on ITV1 tonight at 7pm.

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