Ant and Dec to host virtual assembly for schoolchildren on pandemic concerns

Ant and Dec are set to deliver a virtual assembly to schoolchildren to address concerns young people might be experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The TV hosts are fronting the online assembly for the NSPCC on Tuesday to address coronavirus worries and provide children with the knowledge they need to stay safe during the pandemic

Their Britain's Got Talent colleague and children's author David Walliams will also be making a guest appearance.

Read more: Ant & Dec joke about lockdown fatigue as Saturday Night Takeaway returns

Ant said: “After what has been an incredibly difficult start to the year for many young people, we feel privileged to once again be hosting the NSPCC’s virtual assembly for children and their families."

While Dec added: "We hope we can remind children that they don’t have to just carry their worries with them – they can always speak to someone they trust if they’re feeling sad, overwhelmed, or unsafe.”

The event is part of the charity's Speak Out Stay Safe programme of assemblies, which usually take place in schools but have moved online due to the pandemic.

The Geordie duo hosted the first virtual assembly in June last year which received more than 100,000 views on Facebook and YouTube.

Read more: Paloma Faith welcomes her second child

Janet Hinton, NSPCC’s service head of school service, said: “The lockdown has turned the lives of children upside down and many are struggling to cope with the challenges it has posed.

“Although our trained ‘Speak Out. Stay Safe’ staff can’t currently go into schools, it is essential that every child knows who they can turn to if they need help and support.”

The assembly will be shown on the NSPCC’s Facebook page from 10am on Tuesday.

With additional reporting by PA.

Watch: Ant and Dec recreate first SM:TV Live moment