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ITV pulls Saturday Night Takeaway

UK commercial broadcaster ITV has pulled the next episode of Saturday Night Takeaway from the schedule, following co-host Ant McPartlin’s arrest on suspicion of drink-driving.

Saturday Night Takeaway

The primetime entertainment show was due to continue on March 24. However, ITV has decided to instead air The Voice UK in an earlier timeslot and insert episodes of Through the Keyhole and Take Me Out into the schedule.

McPartlin was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving on March 18 and the presenter’s publicist has said he has stepped down from his current TV commitments to return to treatment. McPartlin first entered rehab last year.

ITV has said it will be reviewing options for the last two episodes in Saturday Night Takeaway’s current run, which will not feature McPartlin.

As well as Saturday Night Takeaway, McPartlin co-hosts a number of ITV shows alongside Declan Donnelly, including Britain’s Got Talent and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.

The pair shot to fame as teen actors on BBC children’s drama Byker Grove and have since become two of the best known and most successful hosts of entertainment formats in the UK.

“ITV has taken a joint decision with Ant and Dec’s team not to broadcast Saturday Night Takeaway this weekend. We will be reviewing options for the last two episodes of the series, which would not feature Ant, who is taking time off to seek treatment. We very much hope that he gets the help that he needs,” ITV said in a statement.

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