Top News

ITV viewers have called for one of its iconic shows to make a comeback following a two-year absence.

The channel sent everyone into a frenzy after posting a clip on its official Instagram account of Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly presenting their first and final episode of their hit programme Saturday Night Takeaway.

Saturday Night Takeaway initially premiered in 2002, with the show taking a hiatus in 2009, before making a comeback four years later in 2013.

Over the years, it has earned numerous awards, including Bafta and National Television Awards (NTA) accolades. After six years, Ant and Dec declared they would be taking a break from the show - stating it's the "perfect time to pause for a little while and catch our breath".

At the time, they concluded their final season on a high note, filled with thrilling challenges, amusing hidden camera pranks, new studio games, and live surprises.

The presenting pair did not confirm when or if the show would ever make a return. Now, two years since it vanished from our screens, TV fans have pleaded with ITV to contemplate a revival following their social media post.

Expressing their reaction in the comment section, one fan penned: "Bring it back soon." Another stated: "Bring Saturday night takeaway back next year! @itv." A third remarked: "We need this back ASAP." Meanwhile, one asserted: "Probably was the best thing on TV at the time."

Another speculated: "This makes me think it's coming back." One concurred: "I think it's coming back." One remarked: "I wish they would bring it back, it's a great show."

One enthusiast insisted: "Bring Saturday night takeaway back next year!" Another quipped: "My children and I mourn this show..bring...it....back." Meanwhile one added: "Need this back.. best thing on TV."

Previously speaking to Fault magazine, Ant elucidated the decision to take a hiatus from the show. He stated: "Part of the reason we're pausing Takeaway is we need a break ourselves, and we need to spend some time with our family. We've both got children that we need to spend time with for a little bit."

He continued: "We need time to think and, and time to step back and look at the bigger picture and just see where we are now. Like I say, we're turning 49, and what do we want to do next? What's the next phase of our career?"

The television personality added: "And we've got lots of ideas and lots of offers on the table, lots of options of things we can do. But it's working on what we do next and where the next chapter begins.

"So that's what we're gonna do when Saturday Night Takeaway is out of the way. We'll sit down, take a bit of time, and re-evaluate everything."

You can stream Saturday Night Takeaway on ITVX