The Ratings War Begins As Ant And Dec Return With Saturday Night Takeaway

Two of our favourite TV faces are set to return to our screens and, like always, the cheeky duo will be together.

Finally, after a bit of a dry spell, we will have something enjoyable on our Saturday night television again as Ant and Dec's 'Saturday Night Takeaway' returns to ITV for the first time since 2009.

The show's bosses are keen to get the entertainment programme back on track in early spring to take on the BBC One's rival show, 'The Voice'. The ratings war is set to begin and Declan Donnelly, one half of 'Ant and Dec' said he can't wait.

He said; “It's very exciting and we have lots of new ideas. It feels like a new project again. We can't wait to start.”

ITV and BBC have had a running battle since earlier in the year when ITV moved the start date of their talent-search show 'Britain's Got Talent' forward to clash with BBC's 'The Voice' and create a prime-time showdown.

ITV are stepping the ratings war up a notch as Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon are all ready to reprise their judging roles on 'BGT'. ITV have yet to confirm any of this judging panel but did say 'Britain's Got More Talent' host Stephen Mulhern has quit the programme to present a new version of the quiz show, 'Catchphrase'.

Stephen said it was great to be a part of the 'BGT' programmes but he has always wanted to do a show that is family-orientated.

“Kids of all ages can watch 'Catchphrase' and have a guess at it. It couldn't be better for me. I'm over the moon to have been chosen to do it. I don't think it's a bad thing it has taken me a long time to get here. I've learnt my trade and made all my mistakes on 'Britain's Got Talent'."

Really, Stephen? We must go look for them...

Meanwhile, a source got excited as he described the upcoming ratings battle to the the Daily Star newspaper; “It's war. Ant and Dec plus Cowell equals winners.”