Ant and Dec reunited on the BAFTA TV Awards red carpet: 'It's nice to be back'

The Geordie duo are back together after Ant McPartlin's hiatus from the spotlight
Emma Powell12 May 2019
The Weekender

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Ant and Dec arrived to huge cheers as they reunited for their first red carpet appearance in over a year.

Ant McPartlin joined his presenting partner and best friend Declan Donnelly at the BAFTA TV Awards for the first time since he returned to TV following his drink driving charge.

The Geordie presenter took a year long hiatus from screens, leaving Donnelly to fly solo on Saturday Night Takeaway, Britain’s Got Talent and I’m A Celebrity.

McPartlin was all smiles as he posed with Donnelly for photographers at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday night. The duo are up for three gongs: Entertainment Performance and Entertainment Programme for Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and Reality & Constructed Factual for I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

Speaking to Clara Amfo about his red carpet return he said: “It’s nice to be back on the red carpet, yes, lovely.”

Matt Crossick/PA

Asked the secret to their popularity, he said: “We’re familiar. Like a comfy settee. You know what you’re getting.”

BAFTA TV Awards 2019 red carpet: In Pictures

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McPartlin returned to TV in March for the new series of Britain’s Got Talent. It was an emotional affair which left him close to tears after one young contestant told him she had missed him.

McPartlin took a temporary hiatus from work after pleading guilty to drink-driving when he crashed his Mini while over twice the drink-drive limit in March 2018. He was banned from driving for 20 months and handed an £86,000 fine. He also spent time in a private rehab clinic.

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