But now, fans of Ant are super excited as it's being reported that he will RETURN to TV in the New Year, with the 2019 Britain's Got Talent auditions due to begin in January.
Speaking at the I'm A Celebrity wrap party earlier this week, Dec broke his silence on the news, telling The Mirror, "It’s back to normal for BGT – fingers crossed it will be great.”
The lovable presenter also spoke about his love for Holly on I'm A Celeb, he said, "There is nobody I would have preferred to have stood next to. Holly has been fantastic too, just brilliant. She was the one I wanted and I am thrilled she did it.”
Ant released a statement in August confirming he would be taking a step back from his TV duties. The statement, which was released on his behalf, read, "Ant McPartlin today announces he will continue to take a break from all television presenting roles until 2019. Ant will not present ‘I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!’ in November this year."
The statement also confirmed that Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway will NOT be returning for a brand new series in 2019, to allow Ant some time off to focus on his health.
It continued, "In addition Ant and Dec have made the joint decision not to present a new series of Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway in Spring 2019."
Check out Ant and Dec's career timeline:
And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec as PJ and Duncan
In 1989 Dec landed a part on BBC children's drama Byker Grove, playing Duncan. A year later Ant was cast as PJ – PJ and Duncan was born.
Another career change for the boys came in 1994, when they began as co-presenters of children's show Gimme 5 on CITV. Just a year later they landed their own programme, The Ant & Dec Show, this time on CBBC.
Dec Donnelly breaks silence over Ant McPartlin's RETURN to Britain's Got Talent
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Ant & Dec: Britain's Got Talent
Establishing themselves as the busiest presenters in the country, Ant & Dec signed up for Britain's Got Talent in 2006 – and a year later signed a two-year golden handcuffs deal with ITV, which was thought to be worth £40 million.
And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec as PJ and Duncan
In 1989 Dec landed a part on BBC children's drama Byker Grove, playing Duncan. A year later Ant was cast as PJ – PJ and Duncan was born.
Another career change for the boys came in 1994, when they began as co-presenters of children's show Gimme 5 on CITV. Just a year later they landed their own programme, The Ant & Dec Show, this time on CBBC.
And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec became popstars
It wasn't just acting for the boys: PJ & Duncan were pop stars for a while, and became best known for their 1994 UK top 10 Let's Get Ready to Rhumble.
Their last studio album, The Cult of Ant and Dec, was released in 1997, managing to chart at number 15.
And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec hosted SMTV and CD:UK with Cat Deeley
This kicked off their kids' TV careers, and landed them their first BAFTA Awards.
After various other presenting gigs, Ant & Dec started hosting ITV's Saturday morning shows SMTV and CD:UK, alongside Cat Deeley, in 1998.
But, in 2001, they made the move from Saturday morning to prime time – for a little show called Pop Idol…
Ant & Dec: Primetime career
They hit the prime time with talent show Pop Idol
They presented Pop Idol for two years, before it replaced with The X Factor and Kate Thornton took over.
This gave them the opportunity to create and present Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, which is about begin its 13th series.
In 2002, a year after Saturday Night Takeaway's debut, the boys joined I'm a Celebrity and have become huge parts of the show.
Ant & Dec: Awards
Among their numerous gongs, Ant & Dec have received the National Television Award for Most Popular Entertainment/TV Presenter for 15 years running. Most recently, at the 2018 NTAs, the duo won Best Presenter.
Ant & Dec: Relationships
In 2015 Dec married his longtime manager Ali Astall and Ant was, of course, best man. And in July 2006, Dec acted as best man at Ant's wedding to make-up artist Lisa Armstrong.
Ant and Lisa, however, filed for divorce this year after 11 years of marriage.
Ant & Dec: Friendship
Ant previously revealed his friendship with Dec started in 1990, when he sent him a Christmas card and invited him to a football match.
He said: "And that was that. It just happened immediately. We clicked. We'd spend all day making each other laugh and annoying everyone and quoting Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer lines to each other."
When their parts were written out of Byker Grove, the boys vowed to stick together. Dec told Weekend magazine: "We made a pact. We said to each other, 'Look, whatever happens, I'll always be there for you and you're never in this life on your own or against the world – you've always got a mate looking out for you."
Even though they work together, Ant & Dec make sure they go out together at least once a week – and even live three doors apart in London!
Dec said: "It's our choice to socialise outside work. And we both get to go to work with our best mate every day. And that keeps our feet on the ground."
Ant added: "We love each other, definitely."
Ant & Dec: Britain's Got Talent
Establishing themselves as the busiest presenters in the country, Ant & Dec signed up for Britain's Got Talent in 2006 – and a year later signed a two-year golden handcuffs deal with ITV, which was thought to be worth £40 million.
And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec as PJ and Duncan
In 1989 Dec landed a part on BBC children's drama Byker Grove, playing Duncan. A year later Ant was cast as PJ – PJ and Duncan was born.
Another career change for the boys came in 1994, when they began as co-presenters of children's show Gimme 5 on CITV. Just a year later they landed their own programme, The Ant & Dec Show, this time on CBBC.
And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec became popstars
It wasn't just acting for the boys: PJ & Duncan were pop stars for a while, and became best known for their 1994 UK top 10 Let's Get Ready to Rhumble.
Their last studio album, The Cult of Ant and Dec, was released in 1997, managing to chart at number 15.
And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec hosted SMTV and CD:UK with Cat Deeley
This kicked off their kids' TV careers, and landed them their first BAFTA Awards.
After various other presenting gigs, Ant & Dec started hosting ITV's Saturday morning shows SMTV and CD:UK, alongside Cat Deeley, in 1998.
But, in 2001, they made the move from Saturday morning to prime time – for a little show called Pop Idol…
Ant & Dec: Primetime career
They hit the prime time with talent show Pop Idol
They presented Pop Idol for two years, before it replaced with The X Factor and Kate Thornton took over.
This gave them the opportunity to create and present Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, which is about begin its 13th series.
In 2002, a year after Saturday Night Takeaway's debut, the boys joined I'm a Celebrity and have become huge parts of the show.
Ant & Dec: Awards
Among their numerous gongs, Ant & Dec have received the National Television Award for Most Popular Entertainment/TV Presenter for 15 years running. Most recently, at the 2018 NTAs, the duo won Best Presenter.
Ant & Dec: Relationships
In 2015 Dec married his longtime manager Ali Astall and Ant was, of course, best man. And in July 2006, Dec acted as best man at Ant's wedding to make-up artist Lisa Armstrong.
Ant and Lisa, however, filed for divorce this year after 11 years of marriage.
Ant & Dec: Friendship
Ant previously revealed his friendship with Dec started in 1990, when he sent him a Christmas card and invited him to a football match.
He said: "And that was that. It just happened immediately. We clicked. We'd spend all day making each other laugh and annoying everyone and quoting Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer lines to each other."
When their parts were written out of Byker Grove, the boys vowed to stick together. Dec told Weekend magazine: "We made a pact. We said to each other, 'Look, whatever happens, I'll always be there for you and you're never in this life on your own or against the world – you've always got a mate looking out for you."
Even though they work together, Ant & Dec make sure they go out together at least once a week – and even live three doors apart in London!
Dec said: "It's our choice to socialise outside work. And we both get to go to work with our best mate every day. And that keeps our feet on the ground."
Ant added: "We love each other, definitely."
Ant & Dec: Britain's Got Talent
Establishing themselves as the busiest presenters in the country, Ant & Dec signed up for Britain's Got Talent in 2006 – and a year later signed a two-year golden handcuffs deal with ITV, which was thought to be worth £40 million.
However, now that Ant is seemingly returning to Britain's Got Talent in 2019, fans are wondering whether Saturday Night Takeaway will also return.
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