An early preview of the first episode seen by HuffPost UK has revealed there is no mention of Ant’s recent time out of the spotlight, as he reunites with co-host Declan Donnelly.
It will be the first time viewers have seen the pair on screen together in nearly a year, following Ant’s arrest and subsequent conviction for drink-driving last March.
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Ant and Dec are reunited on Saturday's Britain's Got Talent
ITV
Despite making an emotional speech to the audience at the London Palladium during the first day of filming at this year’s auditions in January, Ant’s address has been left out of the final edit.
He said at the time he was feeling “really emotional” to return to the show, adding: “I’ve missed you all. As for you [Dec], I’ve missed you. Thank you very much, what a warm welcome.
“What a great show to come back to, I’m thrilled, I’m over the moon. Shall we move on before I cry?”
Judge Simon Cowell seemed similarly happy to have Ant back, telling him: “We missed you; it wasn’t the same. I mean, even though Dec was brilliant, it still wasn’t the same. It would be like me not being with David, I would be happy, but not happy - if that makes sense.
“So on behalf of all of us, welcome back, we’re family.”
Instead, Ant will be seen simply appearing alongside Dec in an opening montage, in which he promises the new series will be “the most magical yet”.
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Ant and Dec with the Britain's Got Talent judges at the first day of auditions in January
ITV
The only nod to Ant’s absence, which came after he checked into rehab and stood down from all TV commitments, came as a small child told him after one audition: “I missed you.”
While Ant featured in the audition episodes of last year’s Britain’s Got Talent, Dec went on to present the live shows alone.
Britain’s Got Talent returns on Saturday April 6 at 7.15pm on ITV.
Ant and Dec Through The Years
(01 of17)
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Ant and Dec, aka PJ and Duncan, in 1994. (Photo credit: Getty)
(02 of17)
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British pop duo PJ and Duncan instore at HMV in 1994. (Photo credit: PA)
(03 of17)
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Ant and Dec, aka PJ and Duncan, in 1994. (Photo credit: PA/Jez C Self/EMPICS Entertainment)
(04 of17)
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Ant and Dec larking about with Sesame Street puppets Bert and Ernie in 1996. (Photo credit: PA)
(05 of17)
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Pop duo PJ & Duncan in the studio in 1996 (Photo credit: PA)
(06 of17)
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PJ and Duncan in concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1996. (Photo credit: PA)
(07 of17)
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Ant and Dec celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Byker Grove with fellow stars in 1998. (Photo credit: Rex Features)
(08 of17)
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Ant and Dec with Cat Deeley in 1998, co-hosts of SMTV://Live. (Photo credit: PA)
(09 of17)
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Anthony McPartlin (left), and Declan Donnelly, Ant & Dec, with their Most Popular entertainment Presenter awards at the National Television Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 2002. (Photo credit: PA)
(10 of17)
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Pop Idol presenters Anthony McPartlin (left) and Declan Donnelly (right) celebrate with Will Young from Hungerford, Berkshire, at the Fountain Studios in London, after he was voted Britain's Pop Idol in 2002. (Photo credit: PA)
(11 of17)
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Pop Idol judges (from left) Simon Cowell, Pete Waterman, Nicki Chapman and Neil Fox, pose with show hosts Ant and Dec (Anthony McPartlin & Declan Donnelly) during a press conference at Thames TV in London, to launch a new series of Pop Idol in 2003. (Photo credit: PA)
(12 of17)
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly pose with the awards for Best Comedy Entertainment Personality and Best Comedy Entertainment Programme for Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway in the Awards Room at the 'British Comedy Awards 2004' on December 22, 2004 at London Television Studios in London. (Photo credit: Claire Greenway/Getty Images)
(13 of17)
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Ant and Dec as The Ugly Sisters in Madame Tussauds Celebrity Pantomime in 2005. (Photo credit: PA)
(14 of17)
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Anthony McPartlin (left) and Declan Donnelly (right) with the Entertainment Performance award received for I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! at the BAFTA television awards at the London Palladium in 2010. (Photo credit: PA)
(15 of17)
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Ant and Dec take part in the 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!' Bush Tucker Trial 'Greasy Spoon', in November 2011. (Photo credit: Rex Features)
(16 of17)
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Anthony McPartlin (left) and Declan Donnelly arriving for the 2012 NTA Awards at the O2, Greenwich, London. (Photo credit: PA)
(17 of17)
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Anthony McPartlin (left) and Declan Donnelly with their awards for Entertainment Presenter, backstage at the National Television Awards 2012 at the Greenwich Arena London. (Photo credit: PA)