Ant and Dec look morose as they are seen for the first time since announcing TV break

Declan Donnelly and Ant McPartlin looked morose when they were pictured for the first time since announcing they are taking a break from presenting TV together.  

The pair, both 42, were pictured separately, after it was revealed Ant is taking a year off and hit show Saturday Night Takeaway has been cancelled until 2020.

Dec looked incredibly pensive as he was pictured taking the tube in West London hours after the announcement, alongside his heavily pregnant wife, Ali Astall.  

Missing him: Ant appeared in a fairly reflective mood as he sipped on his coffee cup while in West London

Separated: Declan Donnelly and Ant McPartlin looked morose when they were pictured for the first time since announcing they are taking a break from presenting TV together

Tickets please: Dec was pictured coming home from a shopping trip with his heavily pregnant wife, Ali Astall (left) on Thursday

Tickets please: Dec was pictured coming home from a shopping trip with his heavily pregnant wife, Ali Astall (left) on Thursday

A down-in-the-dumps Ant was pictured enjoying a walk with a close friend, with a hot beverage in hand a day later.

A source previously told The Mirror that both Geordie hosts were ‘in tears’ during the discussion, which led to Ant deciding not to present I’m A Celebrity… 

It’s unknown whether Dec will present the show on this own or with a stand-in.  

 Natural: Ali looked incredible in her tight white top as she showed off her changing shape 

 Natural: Ali looked incredible in her tight white top as she showed off her changing shape 

Tough times: Dec had a tissue in hand following what must have been a trying couple of days for both him and Ant

Beautiful: Ali wore a form-fitting white top as she joined her beloved husband

Tough times: Dec had a tissue in hand following what must have been a trying couple of days for both him and Ant

Getting on with things: Ali clearly wasn't letting pregnancy stand in her way as she navigated her way down the steps

Getting on with things: Ali clearly wasn’t letting pregnancy stand in her way as she navigated her way down the steps

Something on his mind: Dec looked down as he was pictured inside a store after it was revealed that Ant broke down when he told him about his TV break in an emotional chat 

Something on his mind: Dec looked down as he was pictured inside a store after it was revealed that Ant broke down when he told him about his TV break in an emotional chat 

Ant continues to focus on his recovery following a three-car collision in Richmond earlier this year and the end of his marriage to long-term love, Lisa Armstrong. 

An insider told the publication: ‘It was very emotional and there were a few tears as they talked it all through. Dec totally understands and supports Ant. He wants him better and fighting for next year.’

The news comes just hours after Scarlett Moffatt emerged as the bookies’ favourite to take on the role of co-host for this year’s series of I’m A Celeb.  

Staying strong: Ant is continuing to focus on his recovery following a three-car collision in Richmond earlier this year and the end of his marriage to long-term love, Lisa Armstrong

Staying strong: Ant is continuing to focus on his recovery following a three-car collision in Richmond earlier this year and the end of his marriage to long-term love, Lisa Armstrong

Ant said in a statement to MailOnline: 'My recovery is going very well and for that to continue having spoken to Dec and ITV, I have made the decision to take the rest of the year off'

Ant said in a statement to MailOnline: ‘My recovery is going very well and for that to continue having spoken to Dec and ITV, I have made the decision to take the rest of the year off’

Best thing: Neither Ant & Dec nor ITV wanted to compromise the quality of Saturday Night Takeaway and therefore felt it was better to rest the series next year

Not ready: Production and filming for Saturday Night Takeaway series in February would normally have already started, and continue throughout 2018 and early 2019

Best thing: Neither Ant & Dec nor ITV wanted to compromise the quality of Saturday Night Takeaway and therefore felt it was better to rest the series next year

ITV Director of Television Kevin Lygo said: ‘ITV is completely supportive of Ant taking as much time as he needs in his recovery and of this mutual decision to rest Takeaway in 2019’

Scarlett is currently in pole position for the position of co-host on I’m A Celebrity, with Paddy Power giving her odds of 5/6. 

Coral bookmakers also have Scarlett as a hot favourite to be named as this years presenter with 3/1 odds, narrowly tipped by Stephen Mulhern with 2/1 odds.    

Production and filming for Saturday Night Takeaway series in February would normally have already started, and continue throughout 2018 and early 2019. 

Neither Ant & Dec nor ITV wanted to compromise the quality of the show and therefore felt it was better to rest the series next year. 

Brave: Ant has announced he will halt ALL TV work until 2019 to focus on his recovery... as Declan Donnelly says he's 'sad to be without his best friend'

Brave: Ant has announced he will halt ALL TV work until 2019 to focus on his recovery… as Declan Donnelly says he’s ‘sad to be without his best friend’

He'll be missed: 42-year-old Ant will not present I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in November this year

He’ll be missed: 42-year-old Ant will not present I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in November this year

They will instead bring the show back in 2020, bigger and better than ever. 

Ant said in a statement to MailOnline: ‘My recovery is going very well and for that to continue having spoken to Dec and ITV, I have made the decision to take the rest of the year off.’

He continued: ‘I’d like to thank both Dec and ITV for their continued support and I look forward to getting back to work in the new year.’

Dec added: ‘Whilst I am obviously sad at the thought of being without my best friend in Australia this year, I am proud of the work Ant has been doing privately and I am fully supportive of his decision. 

Co-host? The news comes just hours after Scarlett Moffatt emerged as the bookies' favourite to take on the role of co-host for this year's series of I'm A Celeb

Co-host? The news comes just hours after Scarlett Moffatt emerged as the bookies’ favourite to take on the role of co-host for this year’s series of I’m A Celeb

‘I’m looking forward to us both being reunited on screen in 2019.’

ITV Director of Television Kevin Lygo said: ‘ITV is completely supportive of Ant taking as much time as he needs in his recovery and of this mutual decision to rest Takeaway in 2019. 

‘Ant is clearly making good progress and we wish him all the very best and look forward to him returning to ITV next year. An announcement on I’m A Celebrity plans will be made in due course.’

Ant announced his split from his wife, make-up artist Lisa Armstrong in January, and has found romance with her former PA and pal Anne-Marie Corbett.

Woes: Last year, Ant confirmed his battle with drink and drug addiction  and was convicted of drink driving (Ant pictured outside Wimbledon Magistrates Court)

Woes: Last year, Ant confirmed his battle with drink and drug addiction and was convicted of drink driving (Ant pictured outside Wimbledon Magistrates Court)

Lisa continues to wear her wedding ring and has largely kept a dignified silence following the split.

Troubled presenter Ant first sought rehab treatment in June 2017 after becoming addicted to prescription drugs and alcohol following a botched knee surgery in 2015.

He entered rehab for a second time in March after he was involved in a three-car collision in Richmond and was discovered to be over the limit behind the wheel.

Ant pleaded guilty to drink-driving in April and he received a record-breaking £86,000 fine, as well as a 20-month ban from driving.

Tough time: Ant has been battling personal woes including dealing with the end of his marriage to wife of 11 years, Lisa Armstrong (pictured in 2007)

Tough time: Ant has been battling personal woes including dealing with the end of his marriage to wife of 11 years, Lisa Armstrong (pictured in 2007)



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