Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly had been in the running to be presenters on The Big Breakfast, according to the show's former co-host Denise van Outen.
The TV presenter, 47, has said that the trial "didn't work out" for the pair, both 46, - known collectively as Ant and Dec - nor was Davina McCall, 54, made full-time on the show.
Denise has said that she had an influence in the decision over who would replace Rick Adams, 50, on the show in the late 90s - with her opting for Johnny Vaughan, 55.
