Ant and Dec quit ITV Saturday Night Takeaway after 20 years to ‘catch breath’

TV stars Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have dramatically quit their ITV show, Saturday Night Takeaway after two decades

Television legends Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have sensationally quit their headline show, Saturday Night Takeaway.

The pair who have fronted the show since 2002 have aired over 130 episodes including two special spin-offs.

In recent years, the studio audience as well as fans at home have had the opportunity to get their hands on lavish prizes including trips abroad.

But now, it seems as though the television duo have their minds set on other aspects of their career following their decision to step back.

Taking to Twitter, Ant said: “Hi everyone, we’ve got some news for you, next year, in 2024, it will be our 20th series of Saturday Night Takeaway.

“We’ve got some very special look-backs planned as well as some very exciting new items.”

While Dec added: “We’ve also decided that our 20th series will be our last one for a little while. The show takes up such a lot of our year, we just feel that we need a little bit of a breather and the show is going to take a little bit of a rest.”

“But before that though,” continued Ant before he went on to say: “We’ve got the 20th series to plan, haven’t we?”

Speaking about their decision, Ant, 47, told The Sun: “We love making Saturday Night Takeaway, but reaching the milestone of 20 series seemed like the perfect time to pause for a little while and catch our breath.”