Simon Cowell convinced Ant and Dec not to leave Britain’s Got Talent - here’s what happened

Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly reveal all in a new autobiography, titled Once Upon A Tyne. (Getty)Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly reveal all in a new autobiography, titled Once Upon A Tyne. (Getty)
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly reveal all in a new autobiography, titled Once Upon A Tyne. (Getty)

Ant and Dec have revealed they considered leaving Britain’s Got Talent after feeling sidelined, until Simon Cowell convinced them to stay.

Writing in their new autobiography, the presenting pair said they had become unhappy over the editing choices for the entertainment show, explaining that their contribution was not being properly reflected in the final product.

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Ant and Dec shared their concerns with ITV bosses before ITV passed the information along to head judge, Cowell, which led to talks with the pair in Los Angeles.

Once Upon A Tyne

Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly’s new autobiography, titled Once Upon A Tyne, reveals that the presenting partners met with Cowell at an Italian restaurant in West Hollywood.

Detailing the discussion, Ant admitted, “We let him have it with both barrels.

“We told him everything - that we weren’t being used, that we could be doing other stuff, that maybe someone else should take over.

“To be fair to Simon, he sat there, took it all and listened intently for four, maybe five cigarettes.”

Dec added, “He made a promise to us: that things would change and that we’d never feel like that again.

“He desperately wanted us to stay and we told him we’d do the next series and see how it went - and, to be fair to him, he was as good as his word, things did change.”

The book goes on to explain that, following the in-depth discussions, Cowell gave Ant and Dec a lift back to their hotel in his chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce.

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The pair have continued to host Britain’s Got Talent since the meeting and will make a return to this year’s show.

When does Britain’s Got Talent return?

Britain’s Got Talent will return to ITV on Saturday 5 September 2020.

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