Saturday Night Takeaway is about to return for its 19th series (Picture: ITV)
Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway is back on our screens this weekend, much to the delight of fans of the long-running series.
Launching way back in 2002, the ITV variety show has shared a mix of segments that are both live and pre-recorded, including An Audience Member’s Game, Ant & Dec Undercover, Read My Lips and On Air Dates.
Over the years it has picked up awards ranging from the Most Popular Entertainment Programme at the National Television Awards and the BAFTA for Entertainment Programme in 2013.
Long-time hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly did have a four-year hiatus between 2009 and 2013 while they worked on other projects, but since its return it keeps dishing out plenty of hilarious moments.
ITV has promised the 2023 series will include new and exclusive features, live surprises, celebrity guests, old favourites and outrageous stunts on the cards, including one that has already been teased with This Morning host Alison Hammond.
People wanting to see it all play out in person are also able to snap up tickets.
But what time should you get ready to settle in to watch it on TV and who is lined up to appear?
What time is Saturday Night Takeaway on tonight?
Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway is back tonight – February 25 – with the ‘happiest ninety minutes of the week’ kicking off on ITV at 7pm.
The season 19 premiere will see Joe Wicks and Claudia Winkleman stop by the show, while Alison and Rylan become the unwitting victims of the first Undercover prank.
There will also be a new (and huge) audience giveaway for 2023, with all to be revealed live on air during the premiere.
Who are the celebrity guests on the show?
Alison Hammond will be the target of the first prank (Picture: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)
Some of the UK’s biggest celebrities will feature this year, but the prank being pulled on Alison tonight already looks to be a highlight.
Last week Ant and Dec shared a teaser of what went down, which looks truly terrifying as she enters a horror hotel with flashing lights and creepy dolls.
Knowing something was a little bit fishy about her accommodation, the TV presenter actually tried to leave, leaving the hosts and production crew having to think on their feet to make sure she stayed.
‘That is the one that nearly went absolutely haywire,’ Dec revealed on The One Show.
He went on to explain: ‘It was meant to be an overnight stay, she got as far as reception, and she was like, “I’m not staying here, this place is too spooky”.
‘She got out, got in the car and was like, “Take me home,” we’re like, “She can’t go home! We’ve set the whole place up!”‘
‘We had hidden cameras everywhere, and she was like, “No, I’m not going back in”.
They then had to ring a This Morning producer to convince Alison to stay in the hotel, as well as prank the driver and get him away.
‘That is the one that, very nearly didn’t happen. It’s the closest it’s been to falling apart,’ Dec added.
As well as celebrity pranks, brand new mini-series, a mystery whodunnit called Murder At Bigwig Manor, will feature lots of famous faces, including Davina McCall, Joel Dommett, Dermot O’Leary, Keith Lemon, AJ Odudu, Judi Love and Stephanie Cole.
Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway starts tonight at 7pm on ITV.
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