Saturday Night Takeaway cancellation renews hopes for SMTV Live comeback as fans plead for Cat Deeley to replace Ant McPartlin
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Hopes for a SMTV live special which was cancelled by Ant and Dec have been renewed after this weekend's Saturday Night Takeaway was scrapped.
Ant McPartlin has sensationally confirmed he's heading back to rehab following his drink drive arrest, with Saturday Night Takeaway now cancelled this week.
However, fans have pointed out that there is now a gap in the schedule and Cat Deeley could step in to replace Ant, setting up a reunion with Dec on screen.
Last week Ant and Dec cancelled a SMTV Live special, which had been due to air later this year on the show's 20th anniversary, but with Ant's absence the plans could be changed.
(Image: Sky UK Limited)
SMTV Live ran from 1998 until 2003. Ant and Dec fronted the show for the first three years until leaving to host Pop Idol.
The Geordie duo were reportedly too busy with work commitments and hadn't had the time to work on the show with original co-host Cat Deeley.
This left fans fearing they might have to wait until 2019 for the programme's revival - but it could now come sooner than that.
Viewers want Cat, who appeared in last year's series finale of Saturday Night Takeaway in Florida, to replace rehab-bound Ant.
Taking to Twitter, one fan said: "Get Cat Deeley on a plane over to the UK. #SaturdayNightTakeaway"
Another added: "I wonder if Stephen Mulhern or Cat Deeley will take over from Ant during the florida episode."
While a third suggested: "Cat Deeley to present with Dec on Takeaway? Seems the most logical fit"
(Image: Â©Sky UK Limited)
It was confirmed today that SNT was cancelled as Ant was heading back to rehab.
“Ant has decided to go back into treatment and step down from his current TV commitments," a statement on Ant and Dec's Twitter page read.
"He has spoken with Dec and ITV today and asked for time off for the foreseeable future. As such ‘Saturday Night Takeaway’ will not be going ahead this Saturday.”
ITV released its own statement, confirming this week's show will not go ahead, and that Dec may front the popular series alone for the remaining two weeks.
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
Last week, it was revealed that plans to bring back SMTV for a live special were scrapped for this year.
A source told The Sun : "Given the massive interest in the show’s comeback, they have decided to give themselves another year to make sure it’s absolutely perfect.
"It’s now looking like it will be a 21st anniversary celebration, rather than the 20th. They’re aiming for 2019 instead."
Last year, the pair announced the show would be returning to screens two decades after it began airing.
"ITV have just agreed to it. They are on board now. We've had the first discussion now and it's going to be August or September next year," said Ant McPartlin at the BAFTA Awards.
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
Co-host Declan Donnelly added: "They are on-board now, and we have had our first discussions about it, and it looks like it is going to go ahead.
"We can't say too much but we're getting the team back together. It'll be on Saturday morning again at 9.25."
The show, which mixed competitions with cartoons, comedy sketches and music with celebrity guests, also parodied several other TV shows from the time.
Its spoof Chums played off the dramas of Friends across the pond, while Fartbeat, F'art Attack and Casually all aped their better known counterparts.