Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway fans issue plea as they say 'we are going to miss it'

Ant and Dec fans have been celebrating in sorrow this evening because while Saturday Night Takeaway has kicked off its new season, it will also be its last for the forseeable future.

Last year Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly announced they would be taking a break from the shoe after its 20th series - saying it's the “perfect time to pause for a little while and catch our breath”. Saturday Night Takeaway first launched in 2002, with the show pausing for a period in 2009, before returning four years later in 2013.

While the first episode has kicked off with the same cheering audiences as always, many have found it hard to ignore the fact that the series may not be back for some times.

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One fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "I can’t believe that this is the final series of Saturday Night Takeaway I’m gonna miss it I wonder what Ant and Dec have up their sleeves for us next." A second said: "20th series, hope it goes out with bang, gonna miss takeaway, always full of fun & laughter, perfect for Saturday night hope it returns in future."

A third added: "You bet watched all of your programs Looking forward to this series, you are so funny both of you going to miss not seeing Saturday night takeaway one my favourite programs, enjoy your break Ant and Dec look forward to when you come back xx"

A fourth said: "’I've missed this show!! Pleasssseeee don’t end it."

Ant and Dec are still expected to work together, with the popular duo hosting a number of other shows including I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Britain’s Got Talent and Limitless Win.

The first show of the new series will star Extras star Stephen Merchant as the guest announcer and will see Simon