Ant and Dec choke back tears as they say an emotional farewell to viewers before singing sweet song
1Ant and Dec choke back tears as they say an emotional farewell to viewers before singing sweet song
Ant and Dec choke back tears as they say an emotional farewell to viewers before singing sweet song to draw Saturday Night Takeaway to a close after 22-years
Ant and Dec choked back tears as they said an emotional farewell at the end of the final Saturday Night Takeaway this weekend.
The duo, both 48, drew the ITV series to a close after 22-years with a heartfelt speech thanking viewers at home before serenading the audience with a song.
Ant and Dec admitted they never 'in their wildest dreams' imagined the show would be such a hit and last two decades.
With Ant telling viewers: 'It's been an honour and a privilege to have made the show and been part of your Saturday nights for 22 years.'
As an emotional Dec continued: 'When we started this back in 2002 we both thought we'd be lucky if we got to do this for maybe a couple of years.
'So what's happened has honestly been beyond our wildest dreams, We have truly adored every second of making this show'.
With tears in his eyes Dec said: "But there's one thing we've never ever forgotten when making this show. And that's the fact it's not our show, it's your show, so we'd like to say a massive thank you to you our incredible audience. Thank you'.
Pal Ant then came to the rescue and put a hand on his shoulder before introducing a montage of the show's most memorable moments.
The hosts were then joined on stage by McFly's Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher as they sung a specially rewritten rendition of the band's hit All About you.
Viewers at home were equally emotional and took to X/Twitter with one writing: 'And the nation is crying!!!!'.
'Thank you so much @antanddec for entertaining all of us for 20 years': 'Oh man, sad day for TV. Thank you Ant and Dec for 22 years of the best': 'Going to miss @itvtakeaway and @antanddec brought tears to my eyes, after many years, well done boys!': 'Genuinely missing it already'.
Last year Ant and Dec announced they'd quit Saturday Night Takeaway ahead of the 20th series, shocking their fans across the nation.
The pair will continue their exclusive working relationship with ITV, hosting hit shows including I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Britain's Got Talent and Limitless Win, all of which air across ITV1 and ITVX.
Despite the emotion the show was full of it's usual madcap chaos with Ant even injuring himself after tacking Stephen Mulhern live on air.
Comedian Stephen, 47, returned to the programme for the last episode ahead of the ITV show's hiatus after he was struck down with a mystery illness last week.
Television presenter Stephen was in good form as he appeared in the studio dressed as a giant gold trophy.
Magician Stephen umpired a penalty shoot-out competition between Ant and his co-host Declan.
In the goal was retired footballer Ben Foster, 41, who played for Wrexham until last year.
'Honestly Stephen, we've had a blast,' Ant said after losing.
'Stephen thank you so much for everything you brought,' Dec said. 'You've been an absolute star we couldn't have done it without you.'
Ant the proceeded to tackle Stephen to the ground, smashing him to the floor in his gold trophy costume.
After the break, Ant was seen back in the studio, dabbing his cheek with a tissue.
When Dec quizzed Ant on what had happened, he explained he had cut his face while taking Stephen down.
Earlier fans admitted they're feeling 'emotional and nostalgic' mere seconds after the show's final episode began, after noticing a major change for the supersized swan song.
The two-hour special kicked off with an homage to the show's famous opening titles, with a montage of the various introductions that have appeared throughout the show's run.
It was a change that didn't go unnoticed by many fans, who shared that the change had already left them in tears.
Posts on X included: '#SaturdayNightTakeaway impressed by the mashup of all the titles over the years; Loved that opening!'
#antandec #farewell #saturdaynighttakeaway