Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly returned to live ITV hosting duties on Saturday night for Britain's Got Talent, a day after the awkward I'm A Celebrity South Africa finale. The pair were quick to mock their I'm A Celebrity drama as they hosted the live semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent 2026 on Saturday evening.
Live Show Jibes
During the BGT live show, the first of the series, Ant and Dec introduced the acts alongside the judges. As the show kicked off, they couldn't resist making a jibe about the "drama" and begged the judges to be on their best behaviour. Mocking the risks of live TV, Dec also commented on I'm A Celebrity's Sinitta seemingly storming off after things got heated on Friday night.
Ant quipped: "There's nothing better than live TV," as Dec agreed: "Nothing better." Ant then said: "We had quite enough drama on the telly last night. Can you please, you four, be on your best behaviour." Dec then joked: "If you misbehave you'll be out quicker than Sinitta." Judge Amanda Holden then joked: "After watching your extraordinary performance last night boys I've learned from the best."
Friday Night Drama
It follows hosts Ant and Dec’s rather dramatic evening on Friday, as they hosted the live final of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa. The pair were forced to step in live on air as things got heated surrounding Jimmy Bullard, David Haye and Adam Thomas. David called out Adam over his drama with Jimmy that was filmed late last year but aired this week. David had been called out due to his own drama with Adam while on the show, with fans saying he “bullied” the actor after he ruled himself out of a trial.
David branded Adam, who suffers from psoriatic arthritis, as "useless". The boxer later doubled down on his comments and denied he "bullied" Adam. Then tensions exploded in a later episode when Adam and Jimmy teamed up to take on a Bushtucker trial, only for Jimmy to jeopardise their future in the competition. The soap star branded his co-star a “prick” before questioning his behaviour, visibly upset as he shouted and pointed at Jimmy. It was claimed that a lot was left out of the final broadcast, with insiders claiming that Adam “completely lost it and went for Jimmy". An ITV spokesperson later denied this.
Addressing the Drama
The drama was addressed by Ant and Dec on Friday night, where they mentioned some bits were not fit for broadcast. Later in the live show Jimmy had his moment to speak out, telling Adam: “Listen, Adam and all of you can be upset with me and I absolutely threw him under the bus, I get it and I'll wear that. But what I don't stand on, is someone being abusive, aggressive and intimidating, I don't stand on that." He then asked Ant and Dec to share their opinions. "You [Ant and Dec] were there and you didn't show any of that footage. You didn't show any of the C-bombs, it's a liberty," Jimmy told them.
Ant then argued back: "The reason we didn't air the C-bomb is because that is unbroadcastable. I was there and I didn't think it was intimidating. I was there Jim." David Haye then stepped in, before Adam said: "I take full responsibility for my actions and yes emotions were definitely running high in that moment. I have nothing but love for Jimmy in that moment... I do apologise Jimmy." David then said: "Funny way of showing it," as Ant and Dec stopped him from speaking. Ant and Dec eventually closed things off, saying: "Right, let's leave it there. We'll agree to disagree Jim."
Britain’s Got Talent 2026’s live shows air Saturdays at 7PM on ITV1 and ITVX.
