It seems Ben Shephard is privy to their inside talks too
CAT Deeley has dropped a huge hint Ant and Dec are planning to bring back SMTV Live after their Saturday Night Takeaway exit.
This Morning host Cat, 48, told how the presenting duo are keen to relaunch the kids’ programme, which she fronted alongside them in the 90s and 00s.
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Cat Deeley has dropped a huge hint Ant and Dec are planning to bring back SMTV LiveCredit: Rex
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She told how the presenting duo are keen to relaunch the kids’ programmeCredit: Getty
On the ITV daytime show today, she and Ben Shephard, 50, were joined by SMTV alum Stephen Mulhern, 47, who gushed about his time on the children’s favourite.
As clips from his early telly days were shown on-screen, Cat gushed about her pals’ plans for the future.
Watching on from the studio sofa, Stephen mourned the demise of kids’ weekend shows, claiming they’re “missed”.
Cat soon interjected: “Actually, Ant and Dec have been talking about maybe bringing back a Saturday morning kids’ show. Be great if they did.”
Ben, seemingly privy to their inside talks, finished Cat’s sentence, saying: “Saturday morning kids’ stuff.”
SMTV Live originally ran from 1998 to 2003 and became a defining part of British children’s television.
Known for its hilarious sketches, including Chums and Wonky Donkey, as well as celebrity guests and pop performances, the show drew millions of young viewers every weekend.
Ant, Dec, and Cat left SMTV at the peak of its success in 2001 to focus on prime-time ventures, including Pop Idol and SNT.
Stephen later joined the line-up and carried the show into its final years.
Fans have been clamouring for a reboot ever since a one-off 20th-anniversary special aired in 2020, during which Ant and Dec reunited with Cat to reminisce about their time on the show.
Last year, the boys fought back tears during the two-hour live finale of Saturday Night Takeaway.
Girls Aloud, Josie Gibson, Scarlett Moffatt, Ashley Roberts and Davina McCall among the host of famous faces showing up for the farewell episode after 20 years.
Emotional Declan told the audience: “We’ve truly adored every second . . . what’s happened is beyond our wildest dreams.”
Ant said: “This is the kind of show Dec and I watched every Saturday night growing up, so it’s been an honour and a privilege to have made this show and to have been part of your Saturday nights for over 20 years.”
Dec added: “When we started back in 2002, we thought we’d be lucky if we got to do this for a couple of years — what’s happened is beyond our wildest dreams.
“We’ve truly adored every second but there’s one thing we’ve never, ever forgotten and that’s the fact this isn’t our show — it’s your show.
“So we’d like to say a massive thank you to you, our incredible audience.”
Ant and Dec’s incredible career
ANT McPartlin and Declan Donnelly met on the set of Byker Grove in 1990.
The two went on to have chart success under their characters’ names – including their 1994 No1 smash hit Let’s Get Ready To Rhumble.
They haven’t looked back since then, going on to present some of the most popular shows on TV.
Here’s a rundown of some of their most popular shows – plus one “dud”.
The Ant & Dec Show – this late afternoon kids’ entertainment series ran from 1995-1996 for 17 episodes
Ant & Dec Unzipped – the twosome jumped from ITV to Channel 4 for this children’s sketch show in 1997
SM:TV Live – the duo teamed up with Cat Deeley in 1998 for Saturday morning mayhem including the classic Wonkey Donkey game
Friends Like These – the Geordie pair hopped channels again, landing on BBC One to present this game show from 1999 until 2001
Pop Idol – before The X Factor there was Pop Idol, which ran for two seasons in 2001 and 2002 and saw Michelle McManus and Will Young crowned the winners
I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here – the reality TV show began in 2002, with Dec presenting all 23 seasons, even one without sidekick Ant as Holly Willoughby stepped up
Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway – this show also began in 2002, but the lads said the 2024 offering would be their last
PokerFace – Ant and Dec created this game show which aired from 2006-2007. with a top prize of £1million.
Britain’s Got Talent – the TV series began in 2007 with the pair’s backstage antics loved by fans. They also took part in silly competitions on Stephen Mulhern’s ITV spin-off Britain’s Got More Talent
Red Or Black – the show only aired for two seasons in 2011 and 2012. It was one of the pair’s rare “flops” with Dec admitting “we got it wrong”
Ant & Dec’s Limitless Win – the pair had another success on their hands when this show hit screens in 2022
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Cat is seen with Ant & Dec on the show during its initial runCredit: Rex Features
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Ant and Dec fought back tears during the two-hour live finale of Saturday Night TakeawayCredit: Rex
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