After his drink-driving arrest in March and subsequent stay in rehab, Ant McPartlin announced a break from all of his presenting duties but with the New Year around the corner, it looks like the TV star is getting back to work.
According to recent reports by the Mirror, Ant and his presenting partner Declan Donnelly attended a recording of ITV show Replay 2018, which their production company made, at Elstree Studios just before Christmas.
“Ant and Dec’s production company makes the show so they went for a night out to watch it being filmed. Ant was in high spirits and seemed to love being back in a working environment,” a source told the publication.
They added “It was great to see them back together again. They haven’t lost their sparkle.”
Replay 2018, which aired on Friday evening, was hosted by Richard Osman and Scarlett Moffatt.
CHECK OUT Ant and Dec's career timeline
Ant and Dec's career timeline (slider)
1 of 8And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec as PJ and DuncanIn 1989 Dec landed a part on BBC children's drama Byker Grove, playing Duncan. A year later Ant was cast as PJ – PJ and Duncan was born.Another career change for the boys came in 1994, when they began as co-presenters of children's show Gimme 5 on CITV. Just a year later they landed their own programme, The Ant & Dec Show, this time on CBBC.
2 of 8And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec became popstarsIt wasn't just acting for the boys: PJ & Duncan were pop stars for a while, and became best known for their 1994 UK top 10 Let's Get Ready to Rhumble.Their last studio album, The Cult of Ant and Dec, was released in 1997, managing to chart at number 15.
3 of 8And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec hosted SMTV and CD
4 of 8Ant & Dec: Primetime career
They hit the prime time with talent show Pop IdolThey presented Pop Idol for two years, before it replaced with The X Factor and Kate Thornton took over.This gave them the opportunity to create and present Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, which is about begin its 13th series.In 2002, a year after Saturday Night Takeaway's debut, the boys joined I'm a Celebrity and have become huge parts of the show.
5 of 8Ant & Dec: Awards
Among their numerous gongs, Ant & Dec have received the National Television Award for Most Popular Entertainment/TV Presenter for 15 years running. Most recently, at the 2018 NTAs, the duo won Best Presenter.
6 of 8Ant & Dec: Relationships
In 2015 Dec married his longtime manager Ali Astall and Ant was, of course, best man. And in July 2006, Dec acted as best man at Ant's wedding to make-up artist Lisa Armstrong. Ant and Lisa, however, filed for divorce this year after 11 years of marriage.
7 of 8Ant & Dec: Friendship
Ant previously revealed his friendship with Dec started in 1990, when he sent him a Christmas card and invited him to a football match.He said: "And that was that. It just happened immediately. We clicked. We'd spend all day making each other laugh and annoying everyone and quoting Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer lines to each other."When their parts were written out of Byker Grove, the boys vowed to stick together. Dec told Weekend magazine: "We made a pact. We said to each other, 'Look, whatever happens, I'll always be there for you and you're never in this life on your own or against the world – you've always got a mate looking out for you."Even though they work together, Ant & Dec make sure they go out together at least once a week – and even live three doors apart in London!Dec said: "It's our choice to socialise outside work. And we both get to go to work with our best mate every day. And that keeps our feet on the ground."Ant added: "We love each other, definitely."
8 of 8Ant & Dec: Britain's Got Talent
Establishing themselves as the busiest presenters in the country, Ant & Dec signed up for Britain's Got Talent in 2006 – and a year later signed a two-year golden handcuffs deal with ITV, which was thought to be worth £40 million.
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Ant delighted fans earlier this week when he returned to social media to tweet about the show.
“Exciting show alert. Tonight ITV 9pm Re-Play 2018 with Richard Osman. Play along and see if you’ve been paying attention to 2018. Enjoy! A,” he wrote on the account he shares with Dec.
Fans were overjoyed to see Ant back on Twitter and flooded the replies with excitement.
“Don’t care about the show, just love that Ant tweeted,” wrote one, while a second added: “Love ya Ant!! Can’t wait to have you back on the TV.”
Another Twitter user wrote: “Can't wait to see you back on my TV screen Ant! It's not the same without you!!”
Ant hasn’t been seen on screen since this year’s pre-recorded Britain’s Got Talent auditions. Dec then went solo to host the live shows before being joined by Holly Willoughby for I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here.