Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were notably absent from a new trailer for the forthcoming series of Britain’s Got Talent.
The judging panel, featuring Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams, all appear in period dress for the fun-filled commercial ahead of the April airing, however the embattled duo were nowhere to be seen.
Nowhere to be seen: Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were notably absent from a new trailer for the forthcoming series of Britain’s Got Talent
The new trailer sees the judges as they have never been seen before in Tudor period costume yet Ant and Dec failed to appear in the new teaser.
An insider told MailOnline: ‘Ant and Dec are not missing – in a year of royal weddings and babies, the creative celebrates the judges ‘royal roots’ …
‘It was always planned to be about the judges and not the boys. This has been the case many many times before – the last being 2014’.
Elsewhere, ITV bosses have reportedly opted to refrain from adding family tree show Ant and Dec’s DNA Journey, which is yet to finish filming, to the programming schedule following troubled Ant’s recent arrest for driving under the influence.
Cancelled: Before the advert was released on Wednesday, it was revealed a new mainstream entertainment show hosted by the beleaguered presenting duo ‘is to be shelved’ because it includes scenes in which the pair drink alcohol
Troubled: The pair could be seen outside Berry’s Tavern but after Ant’s drink-driving incident, it appears as though the timing isn’t right for the show – the pair swapped London for Leitrim
All change: ITV bosses have reportedly opted to refrain from adding family tree show Ant and Dec’s DNA Journey to the programing schedule following troubled Ant’s recent arrest for driving under the influence
A source told the Daily Star: ‘It’s really touch and go as to whether this show ever sees the light of day now.’
A source told MailOnline: ‘The show has been put on hold whilst Ant steps down from his TV work – not because it features scenes of drinking.’
Ant, 42, filmed the ancestry series with long-standing TV partner Dec, also 42, on location in Ireland prior to the car crash that resulted in his arrest and subsequent charge for driving while intoxicated.
The pair are understood to have traced their own family trees back to Country Leitrim, where they visited Irish pubs in Wynne’s Bar in Drumkeeran and Frank Davitt’s bar Drumshanbo.
A source told the Daily Star: ‘It’s really touch and go as to whether this show ever sees the light of day now’
Snap happy: In stills taken from filming, Dec posed with a fan while the pair discovered more about their family history
Fancy seeing you here: Ant and Dec swapped London for Leitrim for their new TV show as they drank pints and posed with the locals
Pint in hand: Ant appeared in high spirits as he posed with another group with A Guinness in hand
‘They were very good craic – they’re two very nice fellas, very ordinary. We had them in behind the counter and they pulled a few pints,’ Dessie Wynne, whose brother owns Wynne’s, told the publication.
MailOnline has contacted a representative for further comment.
Dec, who recently confirmed he is expecting his first child with wife Ali Astall, will continue to present regular show Saturday Night Takeaway while Ant seeks help in a treatment centre.
But the final, already recorded episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway will be screened with Ant appearing in pre-recorded scenes, The Sun reports.
Say cheese: The group kindly posed with locals as they put the new show together
Nice pinny: MailOnline has contacted ITV for further information about the series
Going solo: Meanwhile Dec, who recently confirmed he is expecting his first child with wife Ali Astall, will continue to present regular show Saturday Night Takeaway while Ant seeks help in a treatment centre
‘After a lot of soul searching it was decided that the final two episodes should run because viewers have loved the series and want to find out the conclusion in the final two episodes of the mini-series’, a source told the newspaper.
Fans on Twitter expressed their delight at Ant’s return, with one saying: ‘Looking forward till Saturday and the return of Ant & Dec’s amazing show.’
Another said: ‘Looove Saturday Knight Takeaway!!! Cannot wait to see what happens next.’
Shelved: ITV bosses have reportedly opted to refrain from adding family tree show Ant and Dec’s DNA Journey to the programing schedule following troubled Ant’s recent arrest for driving under the influence