AN EMOTIONAL Declan Donnelly thanked fans for their support and received a standing ovation during first ever Saturday Night Takeaway by himself following Ant McPartlin's arrest.
The 42-year-old presenter opted to not mention his pal's drink-driving charge and looked nervous as he was introduced alone - but was soon seen with a beaming smile as he danced with the audience en route to the stage.
As he arrived on the main stage, with a screen behind him still bearing Ant's name, Dec was seen close to tears as the audience gave him a standing ovation.
By the end of the show, he made a special mention to the viewers and fans at home, thanking them for their support of him during this difficult period.
Without making a direct mention about partner Ant McPartlin, who is currently back in rehab following a car crash while over the limit, he did joke that he had "twice the work to do" as he revealed what was coming up on the show.
Stephen Merchant, who was in the voiceover booth, also failed to mention Ant but instead congratulated Dec on his upcoming baby.
The comedian then mocked Dec's height by telling him how the "pitter patter of tiny feet" in the house would be his.
Despite his live absence, Ant still made a prominent appearance in the title sequence - as well as a pre-recorded sketch segment called Saturday Knight Takeaway.
Dec also made several self-deprecating jokes as a nod to the reasons behind why his co-star wasn't there.
Starting the second half of the show in an empty studio, Dec joked to viewers not to worry as "things hadn't got that bad yet" before revealing it was actually the former SMTV studio that was being shut down.
After talking to singer Paloma Faith about what she had planned for The End of the Show Show segment, he joked that he would "have to do it himself".
"...Just like everything else this week!" he added.
Ant did later make an appearance on the show during the pre-recorded segment Saturday Knight Takeaway - a sketch show that was filmed before the series started airing.
In the clip, Ant was seen on the hunt for a mole in the Honoured team, and partnered with Joanna Lumley as they went on a hunt in tin-foil knight suits.
At the scene came to a close and they went back to the studio, Dec was seen struggling not to laugh as funnyman Stephen Merchant told him: "That other bloke was good, you should do more stuff with him!"
Stephen also later couldn't help but plug his new film Sherlock Gnomes, which is out next month, under the guise of "filling up time" for his now solo pal.
Presenters including Davina McCall, Stephen Mulhern and Scarlett Moffatt were on hand to help out Dec throughout the show's 90 minute duration.
Davina was first to make an appearance and plugged her upcoming show This Time Next Year with an emotional reunion on the show of a woman and the long-lost sister she'd been looking for for 27 years.
Stephen Mulhern and Scarlett Moffatt then helped Dec distribute tickets for the 'place on the plane' to Orlando for the finale next week.
Presenting the Win the Ads section by himself, Dec made another tongue-in-cheek dig at the expense of the past week's events by admitting that he "couldn't miss the news if he wanted to" ahead of the general knowledge quiz.
The show ended with Paloma Faith performing 'in her living room'-with Stephen and Scarlett joining Dec in a rotating stage for a hilarious sketch that saw them appear to be floating and walking over walls.
As the show wound to a close, an out of breath Dec thanked everyone who appears and then simply signed off with a message to the audience telling them: "Thanks for the support."
Viewers were quick to praise Dec for his professionalism in the difficult circumstances he's found himself in, and congratulated him for a job well done.
Taking to Twitter to share their support, one wrote: "Aww Dec I’m am so so proud of you! Your doing a fab job xx @antanddec #SaturdayNightTakeaway #Dec"
"dec looks so upset. i honestly take my hat off to him. to do it without his best friend and knowing what’s going on behind the cameras is tough. #SaturdayNightTakeaway" added another.
Others admitted that they found the change strange, as one said: "So strange seeing just Dec, it’s got me all emotional. #SaturdayNightTakeaway"
The reaction must have been a relief to bosses, who did not decide how to address the issue until hours before filming began.
One TV source said: “The final rehearsal was 4.30pm and till then how Ant’s absence would be dealt with was very much up in the air.
“Dec and the team spent hours discussing how to strike a balance between the serious issue behind Ant’s absence and the light-hearted tone of the show. In the end they felt this was the best option.”
Tonight's show is expected to be the most viewed of the series, with fans desperate to see how Dec coped alone.
Dec was swarmed with support by his fans on Friday as he announced he was back to work by tweeting: “Back in studio today preparing your #SaturdayNightTakeaway for tomorrow night. Have a great Good Friday! D x.”
Last night's episode of Saturday Night Takeaway was the first time Dec has appeared on TV without his co-star Ant since they first made their television debut in Byker Grove in 1989.
Starting their careers as actors, the duo had a brief musical career before landing their ideal job of hosting children’s TV show, SMTV: Live.
What happened when other acts split?
AS Dec went it alone and fronted Saturday Night Takeaway by himself last night, The Sun took a look at other famous comedy double acts who broke up.
The comics had varying degrees of success working solo. Some struggled while others became major stars in their own right . . .
MORECAMBE AND WISE: Eric and Ernie are arguably Britain’s best- loved comedy duo ever.
Eric died aged 58 from a heart attack in 1984 and Ernie went solo — but couldn’t recreate the magic.
THE TWO RONNIES: Corbett and Barker were kings of family entertainment for nearly two decades.
When Barker died of heart failure aged 76 in 2005, Corbett appeared in Extras and Little Britain Abroad.
MATT LUCAS and DAVID WALLIAMS: Split in 2011 after 20 years of performing together, including hits Little Britain and Come Fly With Me.
Walliams’ career has skyrocketed with Lucas left in his shadow.
JAMES CORDEN and MATT HORNE: Said to be one of the most bitter comedy splits when show Horne And Corden was axed in 2009.
The pair were best friends. Corden now hosts a hit US chat show.
Duos that survived
THE Ant and Dec “brand” may be coming apart but other British double-act brands can last for ever.
Thomas Spencer helped Pole Michael Marks with his English in 1880s Leeds and they founded M&S.
In a similar era, Henry Royce and Charles Rolls began making luxury cars. And the Southampton DIY store opened by Richard Block and David Quayle in 1969 became B&Q.
- By THEA JACOBS
Over the past few years, the pair have become the faces of British TVs most loved shows –including I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here and Britain’s Got Talent, as well as Saturday Night Takeaway.
Ant – who entered rehab last year following a prescription medication and alcohol addiction – has returned to a facility after relapsing.
He was charged with drink-driving following a collision on March 18th, and is expected to appear in court on April 4th.
Last week’s episode of Takeaway was pulled from the air as a result, and fans took the opportunity to share their favourite clips from the show in its absence as ITV1 aired The Voice in its place.
However, Dec and the production team decided to complete the show’s run and air the remaining two episodes.
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In a statement released on the pair’s split official Twitter account, Dec wrote: "Whilst I never thought I'd be in this position, after much discussion and careful consideration we've decided that the remaining two shows of this series of Saturday Night Takeaway will go ahead.
"We made a promise to take hundreds of deserving winners to Florida to watch the series finale, and we will honour that.
"Everyone at ITV and the Takeaway team feels we owe it to the audience to complete the series. Dec x."
- Additional reporting by Laura Armstrong for The Sun On Sunday.
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