The news has been confirmed by the ITV head honcho.
Where did that phrase come from by the way? Head honcho? Well, let me tell you: it comes from the Japanese word “honcho” which roughly translates as “squad leader”. So there you go.
Anyway, the ITV squad leader has confirmed that the loveable Geordie duo of Ant and Dec will be replaced for the upcoming season of I’m a Celebrity, Get Me out of Here! after Ant McPartlin quit the show last week.
The duo confirmed that Ant won’t be a part of the new series following his break from all television and presenting roles after being involved in a drink driving accident and entering rehab earlier in the year. He was banned from the road for 20 months and fined £86,000 after pleading guilty to driving whilst over twice the legal limit.
Kevin Lygo, current boss at ITV, has now stated that someone has already been confirmed to join Dec as co-host in the jungle, but wouldn’t reveal who it is just yet during an appearance at the Edinburgh TV festival.
“He’s [Ant] doing really well and everything he need to do to get better”, Lygo also said, of Ant’s continued road to recovery.
Interestingly, when quizzed on the channel’s perceived over-reliance on presenting pairings Ant & Dec and Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield, the head of studios at ITV stated: “I don’t see ITV’s primary function as to foster new talent.”
“He’s doing really well and everything he needs to do to get better” says Kevin Lygo on Ant McPartlin and adds someone is confirmed to join Dec in the jungle…although he won’t reveal who just yet. #edtvfest #ImACeleb #ITV
— Edinburgh TV Festival (@EdinburghTVFest) August 23, 2018
‘I don’t see ITV’s primary function to foster new talent’ – Lygo, when asked on over-reliance of Ant’n’Dec/Holly & Phil etc #EdTVFest pic.twitter.com/HFdNOZCrE3
— Toby Earle 🇺🇦 Threads tobyontv (@TobyonTV) August 23, 2018
His comments will do little to dispel the rumours that Holly Willoughby, a close friend of Ant and Dec, will be joining the latter down under for the new series set to kick-off later this year.
Stephen Mulhern and Scarlett Moffatt are also believed to be in contention for the role, but we won’t find out for sure just yet.
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