Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly's absence from the National Television Awards has been explained in advance after they were forced to pull out of filming for a Britain's Got Talent special after becoming 'unwell'.
The hosting duo were expected to present a new spin-off of the hit ITV talent show, Britain’s Got Talent: The Ultimate Magician.
The two-hour-long show will feature Penn Jillette, best known for being one half of world-famous duo Penn & Teller, as a guest judge in place of Simon Cowell.
The show will see 10 of the world's biggest names in magic compete for a £50,000 prize fund. However, it was revealed early on Wednesday (October 12) that Ant and Dec have been replaced as hosts of the show after being struck down with illness. READ MORE: Holly Willoughby shares moving tribute to Dame Angela Lansbury who she credits for starting her 'love affair' A Britain's Got Talent spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Ant and Dec are both unwell and have postponed all work commitments until they recover.