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‘The show must go on’: Piers Morgan urges Dec Donnelly to carry on presenting without Ant McPartlin

Piers Morgan has said he believes that Declan Donnelly should continue hosting without presenting partner Ant McPartlin, saying “the show must go on”.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, the anchor shared his thoughts on what Donnelly should do now that McPartlin has returned to rehab.

"I think Dec is going through a real crisis himself about what to do career wise," he said.

"They agreed not to [present without each other] but that's under normal circumstances.

Carry on: Piers Morgan has said he think Declan Donnelly should present without Ant McPartlin (ITV)
Carry on: Piers Morgan has said he think Declan Donnelly should present without Ant McPartlin (ITV)

"If one of the duo is going through such problems - [Ant] probably won't be back on TV this year - does Dec now just have to come off TV as well?

"[Dec is] devastated for his mate - he is worried that the Ant and Dec brand is being irreparably damaged - it's the second time round."

He added: "But I think he's got to look after himself too - he's a very successful guy in his own right."

Morgan then urged McPartlin to make a statement allowing his friend and colleague to carry on without him.

In treatment: Ant McPartlin is back in rehab (Splash News)
In treatment: Ant McPartlin is back in rehab (Splash News)

"I think if Ant was to say publicly, the show must go on, that would be the right thing to do.

"I think Dec can carry on, he can't be seen to be knifing his mate in the back.”

It comes after Donnelly was said to be stressed about whether to present TV without his co-host.

McPartlin decided to return to rehab following a crash that saw him arrested on suspicion of ‘drink-driving’.

This weekend’s episode of the pair’s entertainment show Saturday Night Takeaway has been cancelled with a further two episodes in doubt.

A source told The Mirror: “Dec is stressed and it is a very difficult decision in terms of what he does next.

"They always said they would not work solo but now he has to think about not just their careers but hundreds of employees who work for them and ITV.

“It feels like an impossible dilemma for him and he doesn’t know what is the right answer.”

The presenter is expected to soon announce whether he will honour his and McPartlin’s TV commitments which include forthcoming series of Britain’s Got Talent and I’m A Celebrity.

McPartlin was arrested on suspicion of ‘drink-driving’ on Sunday night after reportedly crashing into another car.

On Monday, ITV confirmed that Saturday Night Takeaway, which the presenter fronts with Donnelly, would not be going ahead this weekend.

​A spokesperson for said in a statement: “ITV has taken a joint decision with Ant and Dec’s team not to broadcast Saturday Night Takeaway this weekend," the statement read.

“We will be reviewing options for the last two episodes of the series (March 31 and April 7) which would not feature Ant who is taking time off to seek treatment.

“We very much hope that he gets the help that he needs."

Good Morning Britain continues weekdays at 6am.