ITV back Ant and Dec for 'I'm A Celeb' as they insist they'll NEVER replace the duo

26 March 2018, 08:50 | Updated: 19 October 2018, 18:31

Ant and Dec on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of He

ITV pledged their allegiance to the Geordie presenting duo following reports which claimed bosses were planning on replacing them.

Fans of Ant and Dec, both 42, can rest easy knowing the duo will always have a home on ITV, as representatives for the network have hit back at reports they had been planning to drop the pair from screens following Ant McPartlin was arrested and charged for drink-driving. 

The channel, which has locked the pair into present a number of shows over the last 20 years, pledged their allegiance to the telly favourites after reports which claimed bosses were planning on replacing them in favour of new presenters when 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!' returns later this year.

A spokesperson quickly shot down rumours, telling MailOnline: "It is utter nonsense to suggest that Ant and Dec are set to be replaced on I’m A Celebrity."

The statement was swiftly followed by denials from Ant and Dec's camp too.

Read more: Dec confirms he's delighted to be expecting his first child with wife Ali

The news comes amid fears that the next series of 'I'm a Celeb...' would be scrapped after it was confirmed Ant would be heading back to rehab    following the three-car crash which saw him arrested and charged of drink-driving, and Dec left to present the remainder of Saturday Night Takeaway alone.

Reports by Daily Star over the weekend had claimed crew members were 'in tears' over the uncertainty of the show's future but that bosses had reassured them the series would go ahead 'no matter what'.

A source told the newspaper: "There's a very real possibility that Ant won't be available to present the next series of the jungle.

"While Ant and Dec are a big part of the show, they aren't bigger than the show. They are confident it would still work without them.

"If their return is going to be a problem, producers aren't afraid to axe them from the format and get new presenters in."      

 

Despite the reports being slammed by spokesmen, the prospect of having 'I'm A Celeb' going ahead without Ant and Dec didn't go down well with fans as the pair have presented the show since it first aired in 2002. 

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