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ITV Scraps Little Ant And Dec From 'Saturday Night Takeaway'

ITV Scraps Little Ant And Dec From 'Saturday Night Takeaway'

The pint-sized counterparts of Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly will not be renewed on the popular Saturday night TV variety show.

Chris Ogden

Chris Ogden

For over 15 years, viewers of UK's favourite Saturday night variety show Saturday Night Takeaway have been graced by presenters Ant and Dec's pint-sized counterparts.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and the mini version of the show's presenters are no exception - as ITV has announced it will be scrapping the pair from the show.

The network's reasoning is that, frankly, the second wave of Little Ant and Dec aren't so little anymore, with both of the mini-Geordie kids now hitting high school age.

What's worse for Little Ant and Dec, ITV has confirmed to the website Digital Spy that there are no plans to replace them. Boooo.

WATCH LITTLE ANT AND DEC PLAY PIZZA PORTRAITS:

The kid who plays Little Ant, Neil Overend is set to start high school, while Haydn Reid a.k.a. Little Dec will be turning 11 and taking his SATs next year.

With both kids getting on a bit - at least in their jobs - the network have decided now's the appropriate time to ditch the pair and let them concentrate getting good grades.

At least Little Ant and Dec went out in the best possible fashion as last year's series finale of Saturday Night Takeaway showed the pair having a laugh at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

The final episode - which saw the adult Ant and Dec broadcast live from the entertainment resort - showed the pint-sized pair going on rides, getting their faces painted and even running away from Mickey Mouse. Not a bad way to go, truth be told.

Ant and Dec with the original Little Ant and Dec in the early 2000s.
PA

Interestingly, Neil and Haydn aren't actually the first incarnation of the mini-Geordies, who have had a habit of regenerating a bit like Doctor Who.

The original Little Ant and Dec were James Pallister and Dylan McKenna-Redshaw, who mastered the art of asking celebs cheeky questions all the way back in 2003.

The pair made a comeback - this time as grown adults - to help adult Ant and Dec choose the new Little Ant and Dec in an Apprentice parody skit. Getting old is bizarre.

Fans of Scarlett Moffatt can sleep soundly though, as ITV has confirmed that the former Googlebox star and I'm A Celebrity winner will continue to assist Ant and Dec fresh from their I'm A Celeb duties.

Saturday Night Takeaway will be returning to British telly screens next weekend. It'll be a weird watch without Little Ant And Dec there.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Entertainment, TV and Film, saturday night takeaway, ITV, Ant and Dec

Chris Ogden is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from the University of East Anglia with degrees in English Literature and Creative Writing before completing his NCTJ Diploma in Multimedia Journalism. Chris has previously written for the independent culture magazine The Skinny, among other publications.

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