I always felt they couldn't top the Disneyland finale. They won't now, but even last year was a tad underwhelming. The unfortunate turn of events might have distorted my view, but we'll see what happens next. A Vegas show or safari would've been riveting to watch.
They will also save money by not having to rig up and broadcast a live show from Florida
Yes it will be costly, but ITV have a few quid, they can cover it.
The plans for the show in Florida are already in full swing. Thousands of pounds already spent on visas, set, carnets for kit etc. Serious money already spent
if
the show is cancelled.
Internally at ITV, there is also a competition for staff to win a place on the plane. That winner was announced on the intranet today, so in spite of what has happened - for now, it appears that the holidays are still happening without a decision having been made on TX7s fate.
Ant has put so much problems for people at ITV. Yes, I have a certain amount of sympathy for him, but I am sure ITV have really hammered Ant into the ground for his reckless behaviour over the weekend. The going back into rehab is just a way of getting him out of sight, out of mind and really won't work. I have no idea what his inner demons are, we all have them, but it does look like Ant's career at least is in a nose dive, which ITV, James Grant Group and Declan Donnelly are trying to stop.
Semi-related news. Alan Carr is going to pilot something called "Singoff - The Show" with the production team of SNT. They aren't formally calling it a spinoff at this stage but I just wonder if that's because of the events this week. You'd think they wouldn't necessarily at the "The Show" suffix if it wasn't.
Perhaps that's why Alan was lined up for guest announcer too this week as he'll be working close to the team, similar to when Neil Patrick Harris was before launching the US version of Takeaway. Of course Alan has done it before too, so maybe just coincidence!
It'll be an interesting and slightly odd couple of shows. I imagine some of the pre-recorded material from this week's axed show may be used to make up for the potential loss of section(s) (e.g. Ant versus Dec).
I wouldn't be too surprised if Ant's first return to TV is in the form of a Piers Morgan's Life Stories episode.