Saturday Night Takeaway returned tonight (February 24) for a 20th series. And it wasn’t long before emotional viewers were left blubbing after host Ant and Dec revealed an “incredible” twist.
Fans watching at home confessed to being completely blown away by the unexpected development as the show’s stars prepared to unveil who was in the running to be part of the “happiest minute of the week”.
The thrilling telly moment came after Ant and Dec had told the studio audience they knew something about each and every single one of them.
Saturday Night Takeaway tonight
As usual, the hosts surprised unsuspecting audience members by pushing a microphone their way. But tonight, the lads were congratulating several guests on their selfless contributions to others. Among those in attendance were charity fundraisers, a man who can’t pass a dirty road sign without cleaning it, and an entire block of guests of foster families.
And so, when it came to the big holiday giveaway, Dec divulged the regular segment was going to be very different for this first episode of the 2024 run.
LAX ✈️ SNT #SaturdayNightTakeaway pic.twitter.com/zbCjYyx1KY
— Saturday Night Takeaway (@itvtakeaway) February 24, 2024
“The beating heart of Saturday Night Takeaway has been you, our studio audience,” Ant continued.
And as Dec explained the 411 person strong audience had been handpicked to be there, it was revealed they would ALL be receiving a holiday giveaway!
As Ant, Dec, guest announcer Stephen Merchant, Clara Amfo, and Jordan North distributed plane ticket envelopes, both the audience and viewers went into meltdown.
How viewers reacted
“I’m gonna cry, this is incredible #SaturdayNightTakeaway,” one social media user wrote.
Another stunned watcher said: “Over 400 Takeaway Getaways! Wow! #SaturdayNightTakeaway.”
“#SaturdayNightTakeaway that’s amazing. Credit to Ant & Dec giving holidays to everyone in audience. That’s lovely,” wrote another.
A fourth emotional viewer posted: “Just done my make up to go out after. And I’m going to have to do it again! 15 minutes in and I’m a mess #SaturdayNightTakeaway.”
Meanwhile, someone else added: “As TV goes, that first 15 mins of #SaturdayNightTakeaway was some of the most incredible you’ll see. So much packed in and so many amazing stories.”
What an incredible start to the show.
And someone else agreed: “#SaturdayNightTakeaway spent first 10 mins crying, even husband shed a tear. What an incredible start to the show. So well thought out and Ant and Dec look really emotional. I love that all these amazing people are being recognised and made to feel as special as they are.”
Read more: How Ant McPartlin ‘repaired’ friendship with ‘angry’ Dec Donnelly after scandal
Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway is repeated on ITV2, Sunday February 25, at 12.45pm.
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