Ant and Dec choked back tears as they said an emotional farewell at the end of the final Saturday Night Takeaway this weekend.

The duo, both 48, 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

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.

Ant (L) and Dec (R)  choked back tears as they said an emotional farewell at the end of the final Saturday Night Takeaway this weekend.

The duo, both 48, 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)

With tears in his eyes, Dec expressed gratitude, saying, “What’s happened has honestly been beyond our wildest dreams. We have truly adored every second of making this show.” He added, “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.”

Ant stepped in to support Dec, placing 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 sang a specially rewritten rendition of the band’s hit All About You.

Viewers at home were equally emotional and took to Twitter with messages of appreciation: “And the nation is crying!!!!”, “Thank you so much @antanddec for entertaining all of us for 20 years”, “Oh man, sad day for TV. Thank you Ant and Dec for 22 years of the best”, “Going to miss @itvtakeaway and @antanddec brought tears to my eyes, after many years, well done boys!”, “Genuinely missing it already”.

Last year, Ant and Dec announced they’d be stepping away from Saturday Night Takeaway ahead of the 20th series, shocking their fans across the nation. However, they 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.

Ant (L) 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

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

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

They later took to social media and shared a sweet snap of them hugging back stage 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’

Despite the emotional moments, the show maintained its usual madcap chaos, with Ant even injuring himself after tackling Stephen Mulhern live on air.

Comedian Stephen, 47, returned to the program for the last episode before the ITV show’s hiatus, having recovered from a mystery illness that struck him down last week. Dressed as a giant gold trophy, he was in good form as he appeared in the studio.

Magician Stephen acted as the umpire for a penalty shoot-out competition between Ant and his co-host Declan. Retired footballer Ben Foster, 41, who played for Wrexham until last year, was in goal.

“Honestly Stephen, we’ve had a blast,” Ant said after losing the competition. “Stephen, thank you so much for everything you brought,” Dec added. “You’ve been an absolute star, we couldn’t have done it without you.”

Ant then proceeded to tackle Stephen to the ground, inadvertently injuring himself in the process, as Stephen was still wearing his bulky gold trophy costume.

The show finally closed with a lively song and dance as a whole host of celebs joined in the action

Ant and Dec returned to the stage as confetti fell from the ceiling

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Viewers at home were equally emotional and took to X/Twitter with one writing: ‘And the nation is crying!!!!’

After the break, Ant was seen back in the studio, dabbing his cheek with a tissue.

When Dec quizzed Ant on what had happened, he explained he had cut his face while taking Stephen down.

Earlier fans admitted they’re feeling ’emotional and nostalgic’ mere seconds after the show’s final episode began, after noticing a major change for the supersized swan song.

The two-hour special kicked off with an homage to the show’s famous opening titles, with a montage of the various introductions that have appeared throughout the show’s run.

It was a change that didn’t go unnoticed by many fans, who shared that the change had already left them in tears.

Posts on X included: ‘#SaturdayNightTakeaway impressed by the mashup of all the titles over the years; Loved that opening!’

Despite the emotion the show was full of it’s usual madcap chaos with Ant (L) even injuring himself after tacking Stephen Mulhern live on air

Ant the proceeded to tackle Stephen to the ground, smashing him to the floor in his gold trophy costume

‘We start with a montage of all the opening titles of #SaturdayNightTakeaway over the years! Feeling emotional and nostalgic;

‘All the opening titles from across the years…; OMG obsessed with the 20-year mashup of the titles!

‘The running opening titles were always the best ones;

‘ALRIGHT @itvtakeaway HAS LITERALLY JUST STARTED AND IT DONE A FREAKING MONTAGE OR WHATEVER U CALL IT THE OPENING CREDITS FROM OVER THE YEARS!’

‘One minute into #saturdaynighttakeaway and them opening credits for me a bit emotional.’

The two-hour special kicked off with an homage to the show’s famous opening titles, with a montage of the various introductions that have appeared throughout the show’s run

It was a change that didn’t go unnoticed by many fans, who shared that the change had already left them in tears

After noticing a special version of the opening, fans admitted that they were already in tears turning into the final

Meanwhile, Holly Willoughby and Rylan Clark also caused havoc as they pelted cake at the hosts. The famous faces paid a visit in a bid to seek revenge against Ant and Dec as part of the infamous I’m A Celebrity…Get Out Of Me Ear! prank segment.

Over the years, stars have been put in embarrassing and hilarious situations as they are roped into saying and doing ridiculous things in public while instructed by Ant and Dec via an earpiece.

However, during the final episode, the tables were turned and it was the celebrities who were instructing hosts Ant and Dec what to do as they dined out in a restaurant with unsuspecting members of the public.

Taking a seat next to a microphone, Rylan said: “We’re gonna give it to them,” as he high-fived Holly before preparing to speak to the Geordie duo via their earpieces.

Television presenter Rylan told Ant to take a toothbrush and clean his teeth before spitting the toothpaste out on the floor, much to the disgust of the diners alongside him.

Meanwhile Holly Willoughby and Rylan Clark also caused havoc as they pelted cake at the hosts

They paid visit in a bid to seek revenge against the Ant and Dec as part of the infamous I’m A Celebrity…Get Out Of Me Ear! prank segment

Girls Aloud singer Cheryl was seen bringing two cakes into the restaurant to celebrate 20 series of Saturday Night Takeaway, with the stars pelting it at each other

Elsewhere, Dec was told to stand on his feet and shout: “We want grub and we want it now,” while Ant waved a napkin around his head.

They also asked the waiter to cut their food for them, explaining that they were celebrities who usually had someone to do it for them.

In addition to Holly and Rylan, Simon Cowell, Alison Hammond, Oti Mabuse, Olly Murs, Gino D’Acampo, and Davina McCall were also given the chance to tell Ant and Dec what to do.

Girls Aloud singer Cheryl was then seen bringing two cakes into the restaurant to celebrate 20 series of Saturday Night Takeaway.

But they didn’t get a chance to eat the cakes as Cheryl stuck the hosts’ heads in them while Holly and Rylan threw lumps at them, with all the stars covered in sponge. Ant insisted that nobody in the restaurant knew it was a prank, explaining: “No one knew. It was hideous. Being surrounded by people that didn’t know and had no idea.”

Taking a seat next to a microphone, Rylan said: ‘We’re gonna give it to them,’ as he high-fived Holly before preparing to speak to the Geordie duo via their earpieces

Stars have been put in embarrassing and hilarious situations as they are roped into saying and doing ridiculous things in public while instructed by Ant and Dec via an earpiece

But during the finale the tables were turned and at one point Dec was told to ask the waiter to feed him his food

They also asked the waiter to cut their food for them, explaining that they were celebrities who usually had someone to do it for them

‘None of the staff, none of the people in the restaurant. You just felt like a really obnoxious celebrity in a restaurant.’

The show took another chaotic turn, after a contestant accidentally swore during a hilarious segment.

One of the show’s most popular segments was Ring My Bell, where contestants’ neighbours had to frantically rush to ring their doorbell in a bid to win £500.

But once the challenge was complete, it was revealed the neighbours had to complete a second challenge, to win money and a Takeaway Getaway for themselves and the contestants watching in the studio.

Tasked with grabbing a hat, a duvet and a wheelie bin, the contestant from Stevenage rushed back to the front door with the items.

The show later took another chaotic turn, after a contestant accidentally swore during a hilarious segment

During the Ring My Bell segment, Ant quickly noted that a contestant needed to ring the doorbell again and say the right phrase, prompting the neighbour to say ‘Oh s**t’

Luckily viewers quickly saw the funny side of the gaffe, in a live show that was packed with amusing and unexpected moments

But Ant quickly noted that he needed to ring the doorbell again and say the right phrase, prompting the neighbour to say ‘Oh s**t’.

Ant added: ‘Apologies for any swearing from Mr Stevenage there.’

Luckily viewers quickly saw the funny side of the gaffe, in a live show that was packed with amusing and unexpected moments.

‘Naughty Ben swearing. Ring My Bell; Apologising for swearing then they crack a joke about his helmet being on show! Brilliant!’ they tweeted.