ITV confirms Ant McPartlin will not feature on Britain’s Got Talent live shows

"Ant will step down from his TV commitments for now."

Declan Donnelly will host Britain's Got Talent's live shows without partner Ant McPartlin, ITV has confirmed. Following a successful solo spell on Saturday Night Takeaway, the broadcaster said Dec will host the live shows without his long-term co-presenter "while Ant steps down from his TV commitments for now". McPartlin was charged with drink-driving late in March, however, he will still feature in the audition episodes of the reality show because they were filmed in January. He is due to appear in court on April 16. Following his arrest, his publicist said he was taking time off "for the foreseeable future". In a statement released on Tuesday, ITV said: "We send Ant all our love. And we know that Dec will do a brilliant job." After one episode of Saturday Night Takeaway was cancelled, Dec went on to present the show's final two episodes by himself. Following the live series finale on Saturday, he told the audience the shows had been fun but "tinged with sadness". Both Saturday Night Takeaway and Britain's Got Talent were recently nominated for the best entertainment programme BAFTA. BGT is an audience giant, too, with more than 10 million people watching the moment the 2017 winner was announced.