The final episode of Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway descended into chaos this weekend after host Ant McPartlin injured himself tacking Stephen Mulhern to the ground.
Comedian Stephen, 47, returned to the programme for the last episode ahead of the ITV show’s hiatus after he was struck down with a mystery illness last week.
Television presenter Stephen was in good form as he appeared in the studio dressed as a giant gold trophy.
Magician Stephen umpired a penalty shoot-out competition between Ant and his co-host Declan Donnelly.
In the goal was retired footballer Ben Foster, 41, who played for Wrexham until last year.
The final episode of Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway descended into chaos this weekend after host Ant McPartlin (left) injured himself tacking Stephen Mulhern to the ground
Ant the proceeded to tackle Stephen to the ground, smashing him to the floor in his gold trophy costume
‘Honestly Stephen, we’ve had a blast,’ Ant said after losing.
‘Stephen thank you so much for everything you brought,’ Dec said. ‘You’ve been an absolute star we couldn’t have done it without you.’
Ant the proceeded to tackle Stephen to the ground, smashing him to the floor in his gold trophy costume.
After the break, Ant was seen back in the studio, dabbing his cheek with a tissue.
When Dec quizzed Ant on what had happened, he explained he had cut his face while taking Stephen down.
It comes after Stephen pulled out of Saturday Night Takeaway last week after he was struck down with illness.
The broadcaster is said to have told producers last Saturday morning that he was not up for filming that evening as he was feeling under the weather.
While he was absent from the show, the nature of his illness was not revealed.
After the break, Ant was seen in the studio, dabbing his cheek with a tissue. When Dec quizzed Ant on what had happened, he explained he had cut his face while taking Stephen down
Magician Stephen umpired a penalty shoot-out competition between Ant and his co-host Declan Donnelly
In the goal was retired footballer Ben Foster, 41, who played for Wrexham until last year
Television presenter Stephen was in good form as he appeared in the studio dressed as a giant gold trophy
Comedian Stephen, 47, returned to the programme for the last episode ahead of the ITV show’s hiatus after he was struck down with a mystery illness last week
The last minute change meant hosts Ant and Dechad to rewrite an I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! segment to feature radio presenter Jordan North, 34.
A source close to Stephen told The Sun on Sunday: ‘Stephen was due to be on a small section of the show, but sadly he was feeling a bit too poorly to perform.
‘When he realised he would be too under the weather to show up he called first thing on Saturday morning to let the team know.
‘They were able to rejig the format and make it work without him.’
A representative for Stephen told : ‘Stephen was due to be involved in one of the sketches in tonight’s show but sadly he was unable to take part due to him feeling unwell. He’s looking forward to being back for the final next weekend.’
ITV declined to comment.
In 2022, Stephen took a long break from presenting after undergoing a medical procedure in hospital.
Ant and Dec announced last year that they would be halting the ITV1 entertainment series as it seemed like the ‘perfect time to pause for a little while and catch our breath’.
Singer Craig David began the two-hour finale by singing and DJing outside the studio to crowds before Ant told the audience inside that the ending was ‘going to be emotional’.
Girls Aloud were guest on the show ahead of their upcoming reunion tour (L-R: Cheryl, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh and Nadine Coyle)
Singer Craig David began the two-hour finale by singing and DJing outside the studio to crowds
They then introduced guests Girls Aloud ahead of their upcoming reunion tour, scientist Brian Cox, and gave out prizes to the studio and at-home audience.
The presenters also announced that viewer Tasha had won the biggest prize pot in the history of the show so far by taking home more than £250,000 after answering questions in the Win The Ads segment.
Ant and Dec, who met on teen drama Byker Grove, have been working together for more than 30 years, and launched Saturday Night Takeaway in 2002.
The show, which has received multiple Bafta and National Television Awards (NTA), was paused for a period in 2009, before returning four years later in 2013.