Why Saturday Night Takeaway and Gladiators have been pulled from TV (original) (raw)
Saturday Night Take Away and Gladiators fans have been gutted to hear that the entertainment hits have both been pulled from TV schedules this weekend.
The shows both usually air on Saturday nights, with resurrected 90s hit Gladiators on at 5.50pm on BBC One and Ant and Dec’s fun-packed programme usually airing at 7pm on ITV. But on Saturday (16 March) both have been axed because of sports.
It is the last series of Saturday Night Takeaway for now as the cheeky presenters plan to rest the show while they focus on their families. Ant is going to become a dad for the first time as his wife Anne-Marie Corbett is expecting their first baby together.
We take a look when viewers can tune into their favourite telly shows next and why they are off air this weekend...
When is Gladiators on?
Gladiators has been delayed for a week. (BBC)
Gladiators was pulled from the schedule this weekend. The show - which is hosted by The Chase star Bradley Walsh - is being delayed because of the BBC’s FA Cup coverage. The next episode will return on Saturday 23 March.
Contenders will battle it out for a place in the tense Gladiators final. The gladiators who have taken centre stage this series are Apollo, Athena, Bionic, Comet, Diamond, Dynamite, Electro, Fire, Fury, Giant, Legend, Nitro, Phantom, Sabre, Steel and Viper.
When is Saturday Night Takeaway on?
It is the last series of Saturday Night Takeaway while Ant and Dec focus on their families. (ITV)
Meanwhile, Saturday Night Takeaway has been postponed to make way for Six Nations rugby. France will play England in Lyon, with the game airing on ITV.
Host Ant told viewers the news at the end of the last instalment of the show. The presenter said: "We're not here next week because of the rugby, sorry. But we'll be back in two weeks." Saturday Night Takeaway will return at the same time but on 23 March.
Love Island host Maya Jama will step up to be the star guest announcer in the upcoming episode. She takes over the role from Joe Lycett who was the star guest announcer in episode three.
In episode four, McFly and Hollywood superstar Paul Rudd will perform live music and meet with the third generation of "little Ant and Dec". Of course one of viewers' favourite segments the happiest 90 minutes of the week will be back and supermarket shoppers are totally shocked in a new cheeky hidden camera prank.
How did viewers react?
Viewers were disappointed that Gladiators was off air this weekend. (BBC)
Saturday Night Takeaway and Gladiators' viewers have told of their disappointment about the TV favourites being pulled from the schedule. Social media was awash with many posting messages on X saying it's unfair that the TV shows get bumped for sports.
"Utterly ridiculous," said one. "Why can't the rugby and the football be moved onto another channel instead? They're ruining Saturday night TV."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S NOT ON, RUGBY YOU WILL PAY," posted someone else.
We can't wait to see our favourite shows back on TV!