Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway is airing its final episode tonight, and despite being a favourite weekend staple for 20 seasons, it still had plenty of controversial moments.
Soon we’ll be saying goodbye to the ITV programme as it will be going on an indefinite hiatus (anybody else getting flashbacks to One Direction?) while the hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly take a break to spend more time with their families – although, you can still catch them on Britain’s Got Talent, and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here.
For the first time since 2002, the viewers don’t know when they’ll get their next fix of the family-friendly show. But first, Ant and Dec, both 48, will bring us a final extra-special episode. It will be two hours long (as opposed to the usual one hour and thirty minutes), with the biggest audience ever, and the recently reunited Girls Aloud will be the star guest announcers.
Simon Cowell, Davina McCall, Rylan, Oti Mabuse, Amanda Holden, Dermot O’Leary, Craig David and Alison Hammond will also appear in the jam-packed episode.
While the show generally has a wholesome, uplifting and inclusive feel, there have been some controversial moments. Let’s take a look back…
The use of blackface
The comedy duo dressed up as two Jamaican women characters, Patty and Bernice, in 2003. For the sketch where they pranked Emmerdale cast members they appeared in blackface.
During the segment, the pair pretended to be troublesome extras in a scene filmed in the Woolpack pub. They pulled it off successfully and convinced the cast that they were unruly extras before revealing themselves.
In a Saturday Night Takeaway DVD clip, Ant and Dec discussed getting into character as Patty and Bernice.
Ant joked: ‘It was funny sitting in a room, learning Jamaican, picking dresses, trying on false nails, was something I didn’t think I’d ever, ever do.’
Dec then mimicked a Jamaican accent and said: ‘We had to find who Patty and Bernice were, so we’d have to go, “Well, I think Bernice probably came to England on a boat”.’
Over the years, the comedy duo have impersonated people from other races including Japanese girls using make-up and an Arab man wearing traditional clothing.
In 2020, they apologised in a statement: ‘During past episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway, we impersonated people of colour in the undercover segment of the show.
‘We realise that this was wrong and want to say that we are sincerely sorry to everyone that was offended.
‘We purposely stopped doing this several years ago and certainly would not make these sketches today.’
It continued: ‘We had already taken steps to ensure footage was taken down, and have again recently confirmed with ITV that these segments, and any other historical content that could cause offence, does not appear on either the ITV hub or the Saturday Night Takeaway YouTube channel.’
Phone voting scandal
In 2007, ITV were fined more than £5 million by Ofcom after it emerged that viewers on shows including Saturday Night Takeaway had paid to enter premium rate phone competitions which they had little or no chance of winning. It was found Saturday Night Takeaway had been selecting finalists based on their suitability to be on TV.
Ant and Dec issued a public apology, all calling viewers were repaid, and the profits from the next series were donated to charity.
‘It is important to us that people understand that none of the shows highlighted in the findings of ITV’s independent review were made by our production company, Gallowgate, and that there was no financial benefit to us from the phone lines within those shows,’ Ant and Dec’s statement began.
‘Our roles as executive producers are purely creative ones. We are not involved in running the phone lines, the logistics of the competitions or selecting winners.
‘We are deeply upset about what the review uncovered. However, we welcome the full disclosure of these problems, not least because we can be sure that our viewers have the opportunity to get their money back.’
They later admitted on Desert Island Discs it was the ‘the worst part’ of their career.
‘I think our audience trust us and with that case we were really worried that trust had gone,’ Ant shared.
Dec added: ‘We thought that probably that was it, to be honest with you, because I think the viewers would have been justified in thinking their trust had been breached, and if that had been the end, I don’t think we could have had many complaints.’
Award show mix-up
At the 2005 British Comedy Awards aired on ITV, Saturday Night Takeaway won the People’s Choice award. It later transpired that The Catherine Tate Show had gotten more votes.
Ofcom imposed an £80,000 fine on ITV – they found viewers were encouraged to continue voting even after polling had closed which led to a £45,000 fine, and overriding the viewers’ vote prompted a further £35,000 fine.
Ant and Dec returned the award and were said to be ‘completely appalled’ by the situation.
Drink-driving charge
In 2018, Dec presented Saturday Night Takeaway alone for the first time.
His solo appearance came days after Ant was charged with drink-driving and checked himself back into rehab.
Dec opened the show by telling the audience: ‘Thank you. Thank you for that very warm welcome.
‘I’ve got twice the amount of work to do, so we’re going to crack on.’
Dec went on to host that year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here without Ant, but on that occasion, he had Holly Willoughby to help out.
Hot Property Picks from Metro
Bed in conservatory listed as 'studio flat' to rent for £1,200 per month
We bought an uninhabited island for £24,000 — it was a lot cheaper than a house deposit
The former owners of my house asked to look inside 30 years on — my answer shocked them
London’s ‘secret’ village with ‘stunning views’ named one of UK’s best to live in
Nuclear bunker with Renaissance-style interiors could be yours for £15,000
Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway airs Saturday at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Coronation Street legend declares love for co-star as he quits after 15 years
MORE : Coronation Street’s Daniel Osbourne in the frame for teen murder – and it’s not looking good
MORE : Ant McPartlin’s ex-wife Lisa Armstrong makes rare gesture of support 6 years after divorce
Share this with