Dec came (alone), he hosted, he conquered – this was the overwhelming conclusion of viewers tuning into tonight’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
Declan Donnelly flew solo for the first time in his presenting career, as his co-star and best buddy Ant McPartlin takes time out from TV life to sort out his personal issues.
Read more: Dec addresses Ant’s absence from Saturday Night Takeaway
The Geordie star – who this week confirmed the happy news he is set to become a dad for the first time – understandably appeared a little nervous as he took to the stage.
Fans tuning him were quick to spot it, and sent him their support via social media…
Oh little Dec 😢 felt so sorry for him in the introduction tonight. Looking understandably nervous & emotional but he’s doing fabulous 👏🏼 #SaturdayNightTakeaway
— A I M É E (@aimee_teare) 31 March 2018
#SaturdayNightTakeaway @antanddec ….. Dec looking so nervous but doing brilliantly u got this
— Lyn McAuley (@Lyn230) 31 March 2018
Watching #SaturdayNightTakeaway & really feel for dec.he is obviously nervous but is doing so well #dec
— Jenna Laskowski (@Liljen1986) 31 March 2018
never watched it before but props to a clearly very nervous and emotional Dec hes putting on a great show #SaturdayNightTakeaway
— ☠ Loki ☠ (@Captain_Lokii) 31 March 2018
There had been speculation about how the ITV show would address Ant’s obvious absence; it opted for the humour route.
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Rather than delivering a heartfelt speech about his friend – which would have jarred with the whole tone of the upbeat programme – Dec instead made a couple of jokes about being landed with twice the workload this week.
This went down a treat with the audience…
Im crying at decs little jokes about ant “ I’ll have to do the end of the show show myself then like everything else this week”😂😂😂😂 #SaturdayNightTakeaway
— Imogen💛 (@Imogenation1) 31 March 2018
atleast they can joke about it and ant would expect nothing less. #SaturdayNightTakeaway
— emily❤🌹 (@emilyashalll) 31 March 2018
I love the fact that Dec is making subtle jokes about the fact that ant isn’t there😂 it’s good that he has a sense of humour about it #SaturdayNightTakeaway
— holy book of jesus (@WolverineBrooke) 31 March 2018
Whether Dec took a read of all the support on social media during the ad breaks, or just naturally relaxed into his groove, the telly pro was soon smashing the show.
By the end of the episode, Takeaway fans admitted it had been a strange experience without Ant, but they couldn’t praise Dec highly enough…
So strange watching #SaturdayNightTakeaway without Ant. But Dec is doing amazing @antanddec xx
— Becky Symonowicz (@86Bexlyo) 31 March 2018
@antanddec Very strange to see Dec without Ant but he’s smashing it!!!! Bloody well done!!!!! 👌 #SaturdayNightTakeaway
— Wardy (@Mandie0376) 31 March 2018
Missing Ant but Dec you are doing an amazing job ❤#SaturdayNightTakeaway #antanddec
— leigh (@leigh17712055) 31 March 2018
Well done Dec – you’ve done yourself, and Ant, proud!
Are you excited for next week’s finale now? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!