Declan Donnelly has confirmed 'Saturday Night Takeaway' will return to screens on March 31.

Declan Donnelly

Declan Donnelly

ITV revealed earlier this week the show won't broadcast at the weekend because of presenter Ant McPartlin's decision to seek treatment after he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving on Sunday (18.03.18) but now his co-host has revealed the final two episodes of the series - including a finale broadcast in Florida with competition winners - will broadcast as planned.

He said in a statement posted on Ant and Dec's Twitter account: "Whilst I never thought I'd be in this position, after much discussion and careful consideration we've decided that the remaining two shows of this series of 'Saturday Night Takeaway' will go ahead.

"We made a promise to take hundreds of deserving winners to Florida to watch the series finale, and we will honour that. Everyone at ITV and the Takeaway team feels we owe it to the audience to complete the series. Dec x.(sic)"

And ITV confirmed the 42-year-old presenter will front the shows alone.

They said: "We can confirm that Saturday Night Takeaway, presented by Declan Donnelly, will return to ITV on March 31, and the series finale will be taking place at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida a week later."

Dec consulted with his troubled friend before making the decision to front the shows alone.

A source told The Sun Online: "Dec will be presenting 'Saturday Night Takeaway' solo. It's a tough decision but one he had to go through with so people weren't let down.

"Dec is speaking to Ant throughout this process.

"But obviously Dec is in a bad state of mind because this is a situation where there are no winners.

"Dec made the decision totally alone, with the full support of ITV."

However, he will have some support in the form of show regulars Stephen Mulhern and Scarlett Moffatt.

The insider added: "Dec will be hosting the show on his own.

"But obviously there's the 'Takeaway' family of Stephen Mulhern and Scarlett Moffatt to provide him support and ensure he's not on his own."

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