Stephen Mulhern has been absent from Saturday Night Takeaway since the first episode of the current series earlier this year.
But for the presenter’s dedicated fans eager to watch his return to ITV, the wait is almost over.
That’s because Stephen, 44, is due back alongside Ant and Dec for tonight’s (Saturday March 26) programme.
And just a few hours away from his comeback, Instagram fans have been granted a first look at the telly fave following reports he has been “resting up on doctors’ orders”.
Stephen Mulhern returns to Saturday Night Takeaway
Hosts Ant and Dec have made every effort to get the word out that SNT is back on the box after making way for the rugby last Saturday (March 19).
They gatecrashed This Morning yesterday (Friday March 25) to make viewers aware normal will be resumed.
Read more: This Morning: Ant and Dec gatecrash show as Alison Hammond jumps out of seat
And this afternoon, a skit showing them reminding anyone within earshot – mostly SNT production staff – that the show is back, too.
Part of that clip, distributed on Instagram, included a brief cameo from Stephen – and fans were over the moon to see him.
What happens in the sketch?
Stephen features three times in the preview, as Ant and Dec ask him again and again if he’s aware that SNT returns to TV tonight.
“Do I?” Stephen replies, as if confused by the question in his first showing.
His second appearance sees him once again overwhelmed by the Geordie duo’s insistent probing.
Looking down to a handful of papers as if searching for the answer, Ant then berates Stephen: “There’s no script!”
Finally, Stephen’s involvement in the sketch concludes with him apparently catching on to the wider theme of the clip.
“Yes, I do know it is back tonight!” Stephen stresses, before celebrating with his hands in the air.
How fans reacted
Fans watching on Insta were beside themselves at spying Stephen in the preview, with many expressing the strength of their joy by commenting in capital letters.
“STEPHEN IS BACK!!!” one person wrote, following the wider theme of the clip.
Another echoed that remark: “STEPHEN IS BACK OMG.”
View this post on Instagram
A third person said: “STEPHEN’SSS BACKKKKKKK.”
And a fourth celebrated: “Stephennnnnnnn whoop whoop.”
Read more: Saturday Night Takeaway announces Stephen Mulhern news after absence
“Stephen yay missed him,” stated a fifth fan.
And yet another overjoyed observer contributed: “STEPHEN STEPHEN STEPHEN!!! I wonder what’s your costume for tonight’s show haha @stephenmulhern.”
Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway is on ITV tonight, Saturday March 26, at 7pm.
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