Dec Donnelly faces awkward run in with ex Ashley Roberts as she makes brutal jibe at star on live TV

Phoebe Tonks
·3-min read

After 22 nail biting years on our screens, Saturday Night Takeaway came to a dramatic conclusion on Saturday evening, as Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly hosted the show for the final time with a star-studded cast of famous faces.

Yet among the slew of celebrities helping the duo navigate through a jam-packed show full of throwbacks, mischief and prize giving mayhem, was one very familiar face that heralded an awkward reunion for Dec, as rumoured former love interest Ashley Roberts jumped in to lend a hand.

The pair were previously rumoured to be romantically linked back in 2012 after Ashley had appeared on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here, long before Dec went on to find true love with his wife Ali Astall.

More than a decade ago, presenter Dec and former campmate and Pussycat Doll singer Ashley were reportedly spotted looking cosy. Before they were linked romantically, Ashley admitted she liked Dec and said: "I would like to get to know Dec better. It would be nice to go for a drink and a chat."

Declan Donnelly came face to face with his rumoured ex Ashley Roberts during the final episode of Saturday Night Takeaway
Declan Donnelly came face to face with his rumoured ex Ashley Roberts during the final episode of Saturday Night Takeaway -Credit:ITV

However in an awkward reunion on the final Saturday Night Takeaway, Dec came face to face with his ex and she didn’t hold back as she brutally poked fun at the star by teasing that he "wore XS in all of his clothes!"

Often the subject of many light-hearted jokes concerning his stature compared to his taller co-host Ant, the jibe was on brand for the show, but many fans couldn’t help but notice it was particularly brutal coming from a former flame.

In addition to the teasing however, fans also noticed that Ashley and Dec appeared to have remained good friends, as fans thought they appeared to be flirting. One dubbed it “cringe,” particularly as Ashley, who attended Dec's wedding to Ali in 2015, kept touching him throughout the final instalment of Ant vs Dec.

Fans at home were quick to comment on the flirtatious behaviour between the pair
Fans at home were quick to comment on the flirtatious behaviour between the pair -Credit:ITV

“Ashley's flirting with Dec is cringe,” wrote one fan on social media, a second fan also noticed, writing: “Dec flirting with Ashley Roberts. Unheard of.”

Before a third fan weighed in and commented: “Throwback to when Dec used to have a crush on Ashley Roberts.”

Meanwhile a fourth viewer added: “I won’t lie, I kinda wish Dec and Ashley had gotten married lol.”

And a fifth fan weighed in: “I’ve always loved Ant and Dec’s friendship with Ashley.”

Ashley Roberts also shared a sweet handwritten thank you note ahead of the final show
Ashley Roberts also shared a sweet handwritten thank you note ahead of the final show -Credit:Instagram

The chemistry on screen comes after Ashley revealed the handwritten note she had received from the Geordie duo prior to the last edition of Saturday Night Takeaway, alongside a stunning bunch of flowers.

The heartwarming note read: “To Ashley. Thank you for coming back to join us for the last episode of this very special 20th series of Saturday Night Takeaway. Love Ant & Dec.”

Ashley also shared a selfie of herself with the hosts as they prepared to face the Saturday Night Takeaway cameras for the last time. She wrote: “Last Saturday Night Takeaway tonight. Will be so fun to be reunited with everyone!”