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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

Ant and Dec pull out of Britain's Got Talent special with NTA appearance at risk over double 'illness'

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have been 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.

However, it has been revealed that they have been replaced on 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."

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It suggests 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.

(PA)

"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."

They also showed a video of themselves out on location. "We’ve got news," the Geordie duo both start by saying with Dec adding: "It’s probably the worst kept secret in television, but we can confirm we’re doing a very special series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in South Africa!"

The pair show off their picturesque surrounding and both scream 'South Africa', before Dec continued: "We’re here, it’s going to be your favourite celebrities from the last 20 years who are going back in to do it one more time in South Africa."

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