Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly's absence from the National Television Awards has been explained in advance after they were forced to pull out of filming for a Britain's Got Talent special after becoming 'unwell'.
The hosting duo were expected to present a new spin-off of the hit ITV talent show, Britain’s Got Talent: The Ultimate Magician. The two-hour-long show will feature Penn Jillette, best known for being one half of world-famous duo Penn & Teller, as a guest judge in place of Simon Cowell.
The show will see 10 of the world's biggest names in magic compete for a £50,000 prize fund. However, it was revealed early on Wednesday (October 12) that Ant and Dec have been replaced as hosts of the show after being struck down with illness.
A Britain's Got Talent spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Ant and Dec are both unwell and have postponed all work commitments until they recover. Sadly, this means they were unable to film Britain’s Got Talent: The Ultimate Magician.." The spokesperson added: "Whilst we wish them a speedy recovery, we are thrilled to confirm that BGT’s favourite magician, Stephen Mulhern has stepped in."
A representative for the pair have since confirmed to The Sun that the presenting partnership have been struck down with Covid. They told the publication: "After both feeling unwell Ant and Dec have tested for Covid and unfortunately have both tested positive. The duo will be postponing work commitments whilst they recover."
This means that Ant, 47, and Dec, 46, also will be unable to attend the National Television Awards. The annual awards bash, which was postponed last month following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, is due to take place on Thursday, October 12, at London's OVO Arena Wembley.
The Geordie pair are once again up for the TV presenter award, which they have won for the last 20 years in a row. They are going head-to-heard with Alison Hammond, Bradley Walsh, and Graham Norton for the coveted gong. They also feature in the talent show, which will see Britain’s Got Talent go up against RuPaul's Drag Race, Strictly Come Dancing, and The Masked Singer.
Ant and Dec's ill health comes just weeks after they returned from filming in South Africa. At the end of last month, the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here presenters finally put truth to the rumours that there WILL be a new special series of I'm A Celeb. Next year, viewers will get to see an I'm A Celebrity 'All Stars' series which has been filmed in a different exotic location.
"And they confirmed that the new series, which they described as the 'worst kept secret in television' will see a line-up of all old I’m A Celeb contestants. Ant and Dec revealed the news on Twitter, writing: "South Africaaaaaaa! That’s right, we’re filming a very special version of I’m A Celebrity in South Africa which is coming to your tellies in 2023."
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