Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly bestride primetime TV. They’re like a two-headed presenting hydra – always standing in “Ant and Dec” order from left to right on our screens as a handy aide-mémoire. And this weekend, their Saturday Night Takeaway variety vehicle returns to ITV for its milestone 20th series, after which it’s taking an indefinite break. But where does the show figure in the cheeky geordie chipmunks’ all-time canon? Find out as we rank the duo’s TV CV from worst to best …

Can you choose between red and black? (2011-2012)

The duo’s biggest failure was this absurd disaster of a game show. Created by Simon Cowell, it made four contestants instant millionaires but caused controversy when one winner was found to have a criminal record. Due to harsh criticism and low ratings, it was cancelled after two seasons. Richard Osman stated in this newspaper: “If Ant & Dec are the hosts, you’re giving away £1m every night and yet people still won’t watch, then your format is not successful.” However, it did inspire various international versions, including one in Ukraine hosted by future president Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

19. Wanna Bet? (2008)

After achieving success in British television, the widely-known pair attempted to make it in the United States. However, similar to many others before them, they were unsuccessful in gaining popularity. The low ratings resulted in the cancellation of the American version of the 90s game show, You Bet, on ABC. Eventually, they came back to their home country, bruised but determined.

18. Slap Bang (2001)

An effort to revamp SM:TV for adults was ultimately unsuccessful. The show “Challenge Ant” was a recreation of the popular Saturday morning program. The parody of “Cheers” called “Beers” took the place of the spoof of “Friends” called “Chums”. Due to declining viewership, it only lasted six episodes. “Slap Bang” did not live up to its name.

17. PokerFace (2006-2007)

View image in fullscreen

This particular gameshow should not be mistaken for the popular songs by Lady Gaga or Natasha Lyonne. In this show, participants bet large sums of money and attempt to deceive their opponents into giving up. However, the concept became too complicated, resulting in confusion. The show’s viewership dropped to 3 million and it was ultimately cancelled after only two seasons, which was a common pattern for the duo’s gameshow endeavors.

16. A Tribute To The Likely Lads (2002)

This remake of the 70s sitcom’s classic episode “No Hiding Place” was born out of love – they’re superfans of the geordie institution and persuaded original star Rodney Bewes to make a cameo – but felt more like sacrilege than homage. The pair were at least a decade too young for the roles of Bob and Terry.

Fifteen. Press The Button (2010-2011)

View image in fullscreen

This show should not be mistaken for the popular Sugababes song. It was created as a substitute for Saturday Night Takeaway, featuring two families competing in games for a chance to win money. The last game was called “DAVE” (Dynamic Audio Visual Endgame). There were two seasons, but the show was eventually replaced by the revival of Takeaway.

The television show “Friends Like These” aired from 1999 to 2001.

Following their success as children’s television hosts, their initial opportunity to present in primetime was on a BBC gameshow airing during teatime. The show featured two teams of close friends competing for a chance to go on a group vacation. The duo hosted two seasons before being replaced by Ian “Wrighty” Wright.

13. Soccer Aid (2006-2008)

They’re big football fans and hot ITV properties, so who better to front coverage of the pro-celebrity charity exhibition match? The pair presented the first few fixtures with their usual spark but clashes with Britain’s Got Talent meant they handed the reins to Dermot O’Leary.

12. Engie Benjy (2002-2004)

This stop-motion preschool series was Bob the Builder meets Top Gear. The titular character was a blue-haired mechanic, voiced by Dec, who fixed vehicles with help from his magic friends. Ant played his faithful pet dog Jollop, while the catchy theme song was by Clint Boon from Inspiral Carpets. Very cool.

11. Gameshow Marathon (2005)

They have hosted many unmemorable game shows, so why not attempt some genuine fan favorites? In celebration of ITV’s 50th anniversary, the duo recreated seven beloved formats from the channel. Famous individuals competed in revivals of The Price Is Right, Take Your Pick!, The Golden Shot, Play Your Cards Right, Sale of the Century, Bullseye, and Family Fortunes. It is worth noting that Carol Vorderman emerged as the ultimate champion.

10. Gimme 5 (1994)

Initially known as “Tony and Lan”, the duo’s first presenting gig was unique. However, they wisely decided to rebrand themselves. They co-hosted a CITV show on Saturday mornings with Jenny Powell and Nobby the Sheep. Dec had a hairstyle with curtains, while Ant often wore a Kangol cap backwards.

The television program “The Ant & Dec Show” aired from 1995 to 1996.

CBBC was impressed by the 19-year-olds’ debut on Gimme 5 and decided to give them their own sketch show. The show included recurring jokes such as a parody of a cheesy American soap called Hollywood Hospital, Dec pretending to have a crush on Blue Peter’s Katy Hill, and a game called Beat the Barber where the winner received a PlayStation but the loser had to shave their head. A young David Walliams was part of the writing team. The show won a Bafta, but unfortunately, it only ran for two seasons.

8. Ant & Dec Unzipped (1997)

After creating a stir on CBBC, the duo moved on to primetime with their early evening sketch show on Channel 4. The later time allowed for even more risque humor, making it a more youth-friendly version of edgy alternative comedy. Popular segments included “Tony Blunt”, a character similar to those in the magazine Viz who was known for speaking his mind, and “Ant’s In Your Pants” where McPartlin claimed to be wearing celebrities’ underwear. The show received another Bafta award but was cancelled after one season.

The television show “Britain’s Got Talent” has been airing since 2007.

Display image in full screen mode.

The pair were once again joined by their former Pop Idol competitor, Simon Cowell, on the popular entertainment show. It reached its peak in 2009 with the Su-Bo vs. Diversity episode, but has since declined in ratings over the course of 15 years. Their charming personalities and humor shine as they chat with contestants at the side of the stage. However, as the auditions come to a close and the live shows begin, their roles become more standard.

6. Limitless Win (2022-present)

This game show is the most popular out of the six that they have hosted in the past. Its unique feature is an unlimited jackpot, where participants work their way up a ladder of cash to reach what Dec refers to as “chunky money”. The rules can be complex, but the show offers compelling human stories and keeps the audience engaged. In fact, when a couple from Suffolk won £1m last month, Ant was even more thrilled than they were.

Since 2002, I have been a participant on the television show “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!”

View image in fullscreen

Reworded: Spending a month in luxurious five-star accommodations in Australia may seem like a breeze, but the duo truly enjoys being the hosts of the popular jungle reality show, and it is evident in their performance. Their playful jokes and silly banter always add a fun element to the show, especially during the autumn season. Even when the show was moved to a castle in Wales during lockdown, they managed to keep the viewers entertained by poking fun at Boris Johnson (“Good evening, prime minister”). However, the recent addition of controversial figures Matt Hancock and Nigel Farage has somewhat diminished the show’s appeal.

4. Pop Idol (2001-2003)

View image in fullscreen

The duo has recognized that the decisive 2002 Pop Idol finale, in which Will Young surprisingly defeated Gareth Gates, solidified their status as mainstream celebrities. Dec remembers, “It was the talk of the town at the time.” He adds, “Being at the center of that frenzy was unbelievable. It was our first major primetime show and the most electrifying atmosphere we’ve ever experienced in a TV studio.” This is also where the pair honed their backstage interview technique, which is now well-known from BGT.

3. Byker Grove (1989-1993)

Display the image in full screen mode.

“He can’t see, man!” The 13-year-olds not only got their big break on the gritty Grange Hill-esque teen soap. It was also where they met and became inseparable. Dec played strait-laced Duncan Sperring, while Ant was bad boy Peter “PJ” Jenkins, the youth club DJ who was infamously blinded in a paintballing accident. The pair became so popular, they notched up a string of hits under the handle PJ & Duncan. Later this year, they’re producing a reboot titled simply Byker.

The television program SM:TV Live aired from 1998 to 2001.

The duo’s popular show captured the hearts of viewers nationwide. Their lively Saturday morning program for children was so entertaining that even hungover students tuned in. Unlike other condescending kids’ shows, Ant and Dec were like fun uncles to their audience. Along with co-host Cat Deeley, they had great comedic chemistry. Some of the most beloved skits were parodies of other shows, such as The Vicar of Dribbly, Casually, Eminemmerdale, and the hilarious Friends spoof, Chums. The show featured competitions like Wonkey Donkey, where rhyming was a must, and Challenge Ant, where contestants were playfully called out for being “thick.” It quickly became ITV’s most successful Saturday morning program since Tiswas and easily beat out its dull BBC counterpart, Live & Kicking, in ratings. Dec reflects on their time on the show, saying, “It was our training ground, where we honed our skills doing three hours of live TV every week for 48 weeks of the year.”

1. Saturday Night Takeaway (2002-present)

The grownup version of SM:TV, Takeaway, was created as a tribute to nostalgic family-friendly variety shows such as The Generation Game, The Morecambe & Wise Show, Noel’s House Party and Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush. This project remains a labor of love for the duo and features a mix of comedy, quizzes, stunts, and celebrity guests. With meticulously planned pranks in Ant & Dec Undercover and I’m A Celebrity…Get Out Of Me Ear!, along with popular segments like Ant v Dec and Little Ant and Dec, Takeaway is a joyful and well-crafted show. Its main focus is on the audience, with opportunities to win prizes like houses, holidays, and even the contents of the commercial break in “Win the Ads”. Takeaway promises to be “the happiest 90 minutes of the week” and consistently delivers on that promise.

• The article and title were revised on February 23, 2024 to rectify the Byker Grove quote.

Source: theguardian.com