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Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have confirmed they have tested positive for Covid-19 after being forced to withdraw from the National Television Awards and Britain’s Got Talent: The Ultimate Magician.
The TV duo took to Instagram to share a photo of their lateral flow test results, which showed they were both positive.
The pair, who won Best Presenter at the NTAs 20 years in a row, confirmed MailOnline’s exclusivity by telling their followers, “Unfortunately, it’s true.”
‘Unfortunately, it’s true’: Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have confirmed they tested positive for Covid-19 after being forced to withdraw from attending the NTAs and Britain’s Got Talent special
Alongside the photo they posted on social media, they wrote: “Unfortunately, it’s true… we even get sick together!”
“After being unwell a few days ago, we have both tested and are positive for Covid. We are resting at home and are so sorry we can’t be at the @officialntas.
Then they sent a message to their fellow nominees: ‘Good luck to everyone and get well soon to everyone who is in the same boat x’
Ant and Dec have flu-like symptoms and are ‘bed-bound’ with the contagious infection.
Oh dear: The TV duo took to Instagram to share a photo of their lateral flow test results, which showed they were both positive
A source told MailOnline: ‘Ant and Dec are upset. They love the NTAs, it’s the best night on TV and for them it’s an event they always look forward to.
“They are both feeling really bad, but will watch the show from bed and hope to be healthy and back to work soon.”
A spokesperson for Ant and Dec told MailOnline: ‘After they both felt unwell, Ant and Dec tested for Covid and unfortunately both tested positive.
“The duo put off work commitments while they recover.”
A friendly face: BGT’s favorite magician Stephen Mulhern has stepped in to take over Ant and Dec on the special
Their absence from the star-studded NTAs won’t go unnoticed by viewers, who have voted for Ant and Dec to win Best Presenter for over two decades.
But this year, This Morning host Alison Hammond, 47, is being tipped to finally end their winning streak.
Loose Women’s Nadia Sawalha has also withdrawn from the event due to illness and shared a video from her sickbed on Wednesday.
The 57-year-old actress wondered if she had contracted a new form of Covid, despite her tests being negative.
Stephen Mulhern, 45, replaces Ant & Dec as presenter of the Britain’s Got Talent special which was filmed in Birmingham on Tuesday night.
A spokesperson for Britain’s Got Talent told MailOnline: ‘Ant and Dec are both unwell and have postponed all work commitments until they have recovered.
Success: last year Ant and Dec won the gong for Best Presenter at the National Television Awards for the 20th time in a row (photo)
“Unfortunately, this means they were unable to film Britain’s Got Talent: The Ultimate Magician. While we wish them a speedy recovery, we are pleased to confirm that Stephen Mulhern, BGT’s favorite magician, has intervened.”
The BGT special was announced earlier this week and no air date has been released at this time.
American magician Pen Jillette was announced as a guest judge in addition to the regular jury.
Their last work commitment saw them filming in South Africa for the All Stars I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! series.
Abroad: Their latest work commitment saw them filming in South Africa for the All Stars I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! series
The NTAs are a big event for the dynamic hosting duo.
Last year, they won the gong for Best TV Presenter for an epic 20th straight, with an emotional ant holding his wife Anne-Marie as their names were announced.
In 2021, the Geordie duo beat competition from the likes of Piers Morgan, Holly Willoughby, Alison Hammond and Bradley Walsh to win the coveted award.
They have a chance to win several prizes at the event this year, including another wink in the TV presenters category.
What’s more, their shows Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! are for The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award, while Britain’s Got Talent, which they also host, has a nod for the best talent show.