Ant McPartlin explains quitting ITV show with Dec Donnelly for wife Anne-Marie and family

Ant McPartlin has opened up about the reasons he and Dec Donnelly are quitting their popular ITV show. Saturday Night Takeaway returns to screens this weekend (February 24) for the last series for a while.

Last year, the presenting duo confirmed the series would be taking a break after its upcoming 20th season. They said the milestone seemed like the "perfect time to pause for a little while and catch our breath".

But viewers will be pleased to know that the new series is set to feature fan-favourites including 'Get Out Of Me Ear' - which sees celebrities give their power over to the Geordie duo to create some hilarious social situations - as well as the popular Win The Ads game.

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There will also be live surprises as well as new challenges while a brand new little Ant and Dec will be unveiled before the real Ant and Dec bow out of their hit show in a few weeks time.

The pair have now said they are putting their popular programme on ice "to spend some time" with their families. Ant married Anne-Marie Corbett, who has two teenage daughters from her previous relationship, in 2021 while Ant shares two children, five-year-old daughter Isla and 18-month-old Jack, with his wife Ali Astall.

Speaking to Fault magazine, Ant said: "Part of the reason we’re pausing Takeaway is we need a break ourselves, and we need to spend some time with our family. We’ve both got children that we need to spend time with for a little bit."

He continued to Fault magazine: “We've both got children that we need to spend time with for a little bit. We need time to think and, and time to