DECLAN DONNELLY had to fly solo this evening.
The British presenter had to do without his counterpart Ant McPartlin tonight due to McPartlin's readmittance to rehab.
McPartlin has returned to rehab and pulled out of all TV commitments after he was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving following a three-car crash in south-west London on March 18.
The 42-year-old has been charged with the offence and will appear in court next week.
It's expected that Ant will remain in treatment for some time and miss his usual presenting slots on Britain’s Got Talent and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
The troubled Newcastle native previously entered rehab last year for a prescription drugs addiction.
Tonight saw the show still go on, albeit with a lonely Declan Donnelly, which broke the hearts of many Ant and Dec fans at home.
My husband didn’t cry at the birth of either of our children, but he just teared up when Dec came down the stairs on his own #saturdaynighttakeaway
— Jane with a Why? (@jainblack) March 31, 2018
the whole nation is crying over dec on his own without ant #SaturdayNightTakeaway
— moll (@tatesross) March 31, 2018
Dec is such a pro isn’t he. While he’s clearly nervous, it doesn’t feel odd or strange to me having him up there on his own. Early verdict: this will work. #SaturdayNightTakeaway
— Dan Wootton (@danwootton) March 31, 2018
‘I’ll have to do it myself, like I’ve had to do everything else myself this week!’ 😂😂😂 Dec is amazing!! #SaturdayNightTakeaway
— Dani (@ohitsdani_) March 31, 2018
Many were surprised at Donnelly making no direct reference to his friend's absence.
A very nervous Dec: “I’ve got twice the amount of work to do.” No explicit reference made to Ant’s absence. Somewhat surprising. #SaturdayNightTakeaway
— Dan Wootton (@danwootton) March 31, 2018
One joke to reference Ant's absence & that's it #SaturdayNightTakeaway pic.twitter.com/eyfGAiqamz
— Toby Earle Toby Earle Toby Earle Toby Earle Toby E (@TobyonTV) March 31, 2018
My heart is melting for Dec. He’s done amazingly. I did expect some comment om Ant’s absence but what could he say that we’ve not seen in the red tops!
Not the same thougu without the chap stage right 😔 #SaturdayNightTakeaway— The Wilkes Family (@WilkesFamily) March 31, 2018