Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly choked back tears as they said an emotional farewell at the end of the final Saturday Night Takeaway this weekend after 22 years.

And it has now been revealed that more than four million viewers tuned in to watch the Geordie duo for one last time on the ITV primetime show.

The presenters, both 48, who said they are taking a break from the show, went out with a ba

The finale averaged a massive 4.6m viewers, up on the 2023 finale which averaged 4.3m.

But more people tuned into this series launch episode than Saturday’s finale, as figures show 4.9m watched the first episode of the series.

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly choked back tears as they said an emotional farewell at the end of the final Saturday Night Takeaway this weekend after 22 years

And it has now been revealed that more than four million viewers tuned in to watch the Geordie duo for one last time on the ITV primetime show

Emotional farewell song of Ant and Dec’s final Saturday Night Takeaway

The highest-rated episode of Saturday Night Takeaway aired on March 21, 2020, during the Covid-19 lockdown in the UK, pulling in a staggering 9.5m viewers.

Despite the lower viewership this year, the finale attracted the most viewers across the entire day on any channel, and contributed to ITV1 have the largest share of viewing across any channel on Saturday.

Ant and Dec, who have worked together for over 30 years, launched Saturday Night Takeaway in 2002.

Last year, the presenters revealed they would be taking a break following their ‘milestone’ 20th series in 2024.

They previously paused the show in 2009 for a four year hiatus, returning with the pair at its helm in 2013.

As Ant and Dec drew the ITV series to a close after 22-years with a heartfelt speech thanking viewers at home before serenading the audience with a song. 

The duo admitted they never ‘in their wildest dreams’ imagined the show would be such a hit and last two decades.

The hosts, both 48, who are taking a break from the show, went out with a bang as they hosted an incredible two-hour jam packed episode bringing in an average of 4.6m viewers

However more people tuned into this series launch episode than Saturday’s finale, as figures show 4.9m watched the first episode of the series

The duo drew the ITV series to a close after 22-years with a heartfelt speech thanking viewers at home before serenading the audience with a song

Ant and Dec admitted they never ‘in their wildest dreams’ imagined the show would be such a hit and last two decades (pictured on the show in 2004)

Ant and Dec were joined by a host of celebrities for their final show

With Ant telling viewers: ‘It’s been an honour and a privilege to have made the show and been part of your Saturday nights for 22 years.’

As an emotional Dec 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.

‘So what’s happened has honestly been beyond our wildest dreams, We have truly adored every second of making this show’.

With tears in his eyes Dec said: “But there’s one thing we’ve never ever forgotten when making this show. And that’s the fact it’s not our show, it’s your show, so we’d like to say a massive thank you to you our incredible audience. Thank you’.

Pal Ant then came to the rescue and put a hand on his shoulder before introducing a montage of the show’s most memorable moments.

The hosts were then joined on stage by McFly’s Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher as they sung a specially rewritten rendition of the band’s hit All About you.

In a joint statement shared to Instagram of the duo hugging after coming off stage, Ant and Dec wrote: ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you.

‘To all the guests, crew, and most importantly you at home who have made the last 20 series so incredible to be part of. We are so grateful to everyone who tuned in and we couldn’t have done it without you.’

Despite the show ending Ant and Dec will continue their exclusive working relationship with ITV, hosting hit shows including I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Britain’s Got Talent and Limitless Win, all of which air across ITV1 and ITVX.

They later took to social media and shared a sweet snap of them hugging backstage following the show

They captioned the post: ‘Thank you thank you thank you  To all the guests, crew, and most importantly you at home who have made the last 20 series so incredible to be part of. We are so grateful to everyone who tuned in and we couldn’t have done it without you’