Saturday Night Takeaway fans 'gutted' as Ant and Dec announce break from show

Ant and Dec have left fans “gutted” after announcing that Saturday Night Takeaway is coming to an end for now.

The presenters posted a video on Instagram saying that they would take a "breather" after the 2024 series of the show.

The next season is a milestone for the ITV programme as it is the 20th series, and the duo told The Sun it seemed like the "perfect time to pause for a little while and catch our breath”.

Read more: Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway hit with complaints over baby prank

The Instagram announcement opened with Ant saying the 2024 series would include some “special look backs” and new items to mark the show’s big anniversary.

Dec then chimed in: “We’ve also decided that our 20th series next year will be our last one for a little while.

“The show takes up such a lot of our year. We just feel we need a little bit of a breather and that the show is going to take a little bit of a rest.”

Fans admitted they were “heartbroken” to hear the “happiest show on TV” was wrapping up for now.

One posted on Instagram: “Noooooooo this show is my Sat night! Don’t rest it too long.”

“NO!!!! Now what am I gonna do with my life?!!!” said another.

One viewer posted: “I just fell down the stairs reading this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m so gutted!!!!”

“Tragic news!” exclaimed another, as somebody else wrote: “What? I am devastated, close to tears.”

“What will I do with my Saturdays nights after 2024?” wondered another fan.

“Excited for the 20th series but gutted it will take a break after that,” said someone else.

"Nooo can’t cope with it not being on!" said another.

Read more: Toni Collette swears in front of children on Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway

Saturday Night Takeaway started in 2002.

The show previously took a break in 2009, returning in 2013.

Watch: Ant and Dec prank Jeremy Clarkson in farm protest