Saturday Night Takeaway 2018

Didn't realise actually there were so few episodes left - probably a no-brainer to pull them. BGT could probably be pulled forward a week if necessary as they usually double up on at least one episode in the series and I don't think there is any question of ITV re-editing them to remove Ant, and I don't think Cowell would let them do that anyway. The only issue is whether the voiceovers have been done yet, but even that I think you could get away with someone else doing them but still using Ant and Dec in-vision.

I was thinking that they could use the judges (Walliams in particular) for the voiceovers if they haven't been recorded yet, or Dec on his own if he wants to.

Would the deal with Universal and Virgin Atlantic even allow ITV to cancel the final show? I imagine it’s a very lucrative sponsorship deal, and I doubt Universal would be too impressed if they had to have a plane full of guests going to the park for free, without the advantage of having the park on prime time TV for 90 minutes.

And that's exactly what is probably making the decision very difficult for ITV. I'd say it's all being given free for the publicity they are getting, so to scrap it al may cost a fair bit.

I can't see it being dropped, but perhaps a 'guest' presenter with Dec for the last two episodes. He may not want to do it, understandably, but given his production company is involved, he may end up having no choice.

It’s all a bit of a mess really and very unfortunate to have happened midway through a series of live programmes. A massive headache for ITV, particularly with the lucrative final show coming up. Has Dec ever presented with anyone else?

With my pres hat on, the biggest disappointment to me is the fact we may not get a good send off for TLS as I imagine they may have done some interesting stuff next weekend.

I am not sure Dec would present the show without anyone else but Ant.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/metro.co.uk/2017/07/15/dec-wont-do-im-a-celeb-without-ant-after-holly-willoughby-slams-rumours-shes-taking-his-place-6781327/amp/

I’m sure a deal with two major companies will have a watertight contract with pages explaining what happens if either side has to pull out.

I think it's the right idea to skip next Saturday's episode, gives them time to plan

Perhaps bring Cat Deeley in for the last two transmissions? Open the next live show face on by starting along the lines of "As many of you will know, Ant won't be with us for our final two shows. We wish him all the best whilst he gets better and send him lots of love from his ITV family"

True. I would be surprised if any of the major sponsors didn't request a "what happens if Ant needs rehab again" clause. It seems harsh, but when you're about to put many tens of thousands into a sponsorship deal, you have to look at all situations.

You're right, it's very unfortunate timing. Even in the SMTV days, if Cat was off ill or on holiday then they would draft in a female guest host for the boys. But if the same happened with the boys then they would both be off together and Cat would get two guest hosts. H and Claire from Steps spring to mind when this happened.

Therefore apart from the early Byker Grove days, I believe they never have made solo appearances hosting or hosted with other people other than each other.

If it happened during any other show, then it could easily be altered with different hosts or cancelled with little repercussion.

With the countless lucrative sponsorship deals that SNT relies on, this could prove very costly for ITV. Especially taking into consideration the final show in Orlando where as a post before correctly identified, Universal Resort are surely not going to allow ITV to ship all these members of public over to Orlando without the significant Saturday Night prime airtime that was part of the deal.

Bearing in mind the issues that he was having before this weekend's incident I am beginning to wonder whether ITV's duty of care has been effectively enforced. It would appear to be a major risk employing or contracting someone who was clearly having quite publicly known problems presenting an extended live programme in what's arguably the week's top slot for the network.

Damned if you do and damned if you don't though - routine is very important to many people in a personal crisis and denying an employee that could be seen as discriminatory. Yes ITV have a duty of care but ultimately it's generally the employee or their doctor who has final say on their health.

We also really don't know the personal circumstances - what happened yesterday might be as big a surprise to Ant as it was to anyone. I don't think the police have released any info about the reading too - around here they love doing that when someone smashes the legal limit, so it is possible it's only a slight breach of the limit. Many people have been caught out by that before, but with Ant's very public history people are jumping to the conclusion he was absolutely smashed.


They could always repurpose the last studio show as a special saying farewell to TLS - though with a two week turnaround that would be an impressive feat to put on. Similarly the Orlando holiday could be done as a non-branded entertainment extravaganza - and worth remembering just like ITV and Ant and Dec wouldn't want the bad publicity of cancelling competition winners holidays neither would the sponsors supplying them either.