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Ant McPartlin to focus on recovery, absent from TV until next year

The presenter won't host this year's series

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Ant McPartlin has announced on that he will not be returning to TV until next year, while he focuses on his recovery.

This means he won’t be hosting ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here alongside best pal and presenting partner Declan Donnelly.

So what does this mean for I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here? Dec did a great job hosting Saturday Night Takeaway for a couple of episodes without his trusty sidekick.

But what about I’m A Celebrity…? The best part of this show is the banter between Ant and Dec.

This show needs a replacement for Ant. Who should it be?

Plenty of names are in the frame…

Read more: Ant and Dec’s website crashes as news on Ant’s TV future released

Stephen Mulhern

Stephen works with Ant and Dec on BGT and Saturday Night Takeaway (Credit: ITV)

Stephen shares a close personal and work relationship with both Ant and Dec.

He works well with them on Britain’s Got Talent and Saturday Night Takeaway.

He stood in for Ant alongside Dec on the last series of Saturday Night Takeaway.

And he definitely knows how to keep viewers entertained with his funny remarks, so he would be good at recreating Ant and Dec’s jokey partnership.

Scarlett Moffatt

Scarlett has a close connection to the show as she was crowned Queen of the Jungle in 2016.

The former Gogglebox presenter managed to create a great relationship with the duo and worked alongside them on Saturday Night Takeaway.

She has also hosted I’m A Celebrity’s sister show, Extra Camp, so she’s very familiar with the programme.

Joel Dommett

Joel Dommett was a finalist on the show in 2016 and returned for more jungle fun the following year.

The comedian hosted Extra Camp last year alongside Scarlett and Joe Swash.

Earlier this year, he confirmed he will be returning to host the show telling The Sun that the trio are all “on board” to host again.

But now that Ant won’t be hosting alongside Dec, could Joel move to the main show?

Peter Andre

Peter Andre appeared on the third series way back in 2004.

Fans watched him fall in love with his first wife Katie Price and, since then, he has become a huge favourite among the nation.

But could he be a host on the show? Well, one of his fans took to his Instagram to tell him he would be good at it.

They commented on his latest pic: “Just saying but I think you should co-host I’m a celeb with Dec this year!”

Georgia Toffolo

Georgia “Toff” Toffolo won over the nation during the 2017 series of the show and bagged the title, Queen of the Jungle.

The former Made In Chelsea star then bagged a presenting role on This Morning following her win, so she’s no stranger to hosting a primetime show!

Vicky Pattison

Vicky Pattison is another big name who has a strong connection to the show.

The former Geordie Shore star won the show in 2015 and went on to host Extra Camp the following year alongside Joe Swash and Stacey Solomon.

Could this telly favourite take over Ant’s job alongside fellow Geordie Dec?

Stacey Solomon

Stacey Solomon at the Brit Awards 2017 (Credit: Wenn)
Stacey won the show in 2010 (Credit: Wenn)

Stacey Solomon is another strong contender as she won the show in 2010 after gaining 80.07% of the public votes.

And because the star, who is dating Joe Swash, was such a hit with viewers, she returned to host Extra Camp in 2016 and 2017.

Holly Willoughby

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield outside ITV Studios
Dec previously joked that Holly would replace Ant on the show (Credit: Wenn)

Holly Willoughby has an extremely close friendship with both Ant and Dec, so she would be an ideal star to host the show.

And during the series last year, Dec joked about Ant getting replaced by Holly following Ant’s rehab stint in June 2017.

Opening the show, he said: “It’s me and the gorgeous Holly Willoughby…” to which Ant replied: “What? Sorry What.”

Dec quipped: “Nobody was sure if you would make it or not. We didn’t know if you would be here.”

Of course, it was all in jest! But could Holly host the show this year, for real this time?

Iain Lee

Iain Lee became one of the most talked about celebrities in the jungle last year.

The controversial radio show host made it to the finale and finished in third place.

It’s safe to say, if he did host the show alongside Dec he would definitely entertain viewers.

Caroline Flack

Caroline Flack has fronted one of the biggest reality shows of the summer, Love Island, so she would be perfect on I’m A Celeb.

She’s definitely popular with the professional critics.

TV critic Ian Hyland has backed her corner, while celebrating Ant taking a break: “This is definitely the right decision for everyone – ITV, viewers and most importantly Ant. He came back too soon for last year’s I’m A Celebrity,” he told Ent Daily.

“Dec needs a sidekick. And my Dingo Dollars are on Caroline Flack.”

Joey Essex

Joey has previously expressed his desire to host Extra Camp (Credit: ITV)

TOWIE favourite Joey Essex became an instant hit with viewers when he appeared on the 2013 series.

He bagged fourth place on the show after surviving 20 days down under.

The reality TV star told the Daily Star in 2016 that he would love to host the show’s spin off, Extra Camp.

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Even though there’s a string of names that could join Dec, the beloved presenter could always just go solo.

He hosted the live semi-finals and final of the Britain’s Got Talent on his own earlier this year as well as the finale of Saturday Night Takeaway.

Who would you like to see fill in for Ant? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!


Rebecca Carter
Associate Editor (News)