Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly left fans in tears over the weekend as they bid farewell to their 22-year-old series, Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
The end of an era saw fans and other famous faces paying tribute to the Geordie duo, and among them was an unlikely supporter – McPartlin’s ex-wife, Lisa Armstrong.
The couple were married from 2006 to 2018, and their split saw plenty of public bad-mouthing between the pair.
McPartlin is now married to Anne-Marie Corbett, and the pair are expecting their first child.
However, as the presenting due, both 48, emotionally said goodbye to their live sketch show, Armstrong seemed to show some encouragement as she liked a post by one of her friends on social media applauding the hosts.
The post read: “After 20 years this amazing show is coming to a end it’s been a real joy & pleasure to have been there from the beginning, & in my 30 year career in showbiz I’ve worked with some brilliant people but these two are simply the best! Great friendships & memories made.”
The couple split in 2018
ITV/Getty
The makeup artist doesn’t often show support to her ex, whom she has been embroiled in a public feud with since their breakup.
The final episode of ITV’s Saturday Night Takeaway saw both men holding back tears as they presented the send-off.
McPartlin told viewers: “It’s been an honour and a privilege to have made the show and been part of your Saturday nights for 22 years.”
Donnelly continued: “When we started this back in 2002 we both thought we’d be lucky if we got to do this for maybe a couple of years.
The duo bid farewell to their 22-year-old series
ITV
“So what’s happened has honestly been beyond our wildest dreams, We have truly adored every second of making this show.”
While some fans were just as emotional, others expressed their disappointment with the final episode.
Several criticised the choice of content in the final instalment, with some taking to social media to question why something more special wasn’t aired.
“This show so far has been mid for a big finale?? the last challenge just being football? #saturdaynighttakeaway,” one penned.
The two were married from 2006 to 2018
Getty
Another added: “I’m a little disappointed that this final series of #SaturdayNightTakeaway did not feature once Grab the Ads.”
A third fumed: “I’m glad #SaturdayNightTakeaway is being rested because this season just felt like scraping the bottom of the barrel for ‘star’ guest announcers.”
