ITV locks down Ant and Dec for three more years with eye-watering £30 million contract as their full lineup of shows is revealed

Ant and Dec’s future at ITV has just been secured in a whopping £30 million deal that will ensure they remain the broadcaster’s golden boys.

The Geordie duo, who recently turned 50, are two of British TV’s best-known faces and have fronted the likes of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Britain’s Got Talent and their own gameshow Limitless Win.

Initially finding fame as teenagers on Byker Grove, the duo will remain at the helm of ITV’s presenting department until at least 2028.

A TV insider told The Sun: ‘They remain, arguably, ITV’s biggest stars and execs are keen to prevent them being lured away by rivals, particularly streaming giants with deep pockets.

‘They’ve watched as other names who have launched their careers on the channel have been tempted by projects elsewhere and the last thing they’d want is for Ant & Dec to do the same.’

Ant and Dec's future at ITV has just been secured in a whopping £30 million deal that will ensure they remain the broadcaster's golden boys
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Ant and Dec’s future at ITV has just been secured in a whopping £30 million deal that will ensure they remain the broadcaster’s golden boys

The Geordie duo, who recently turned 50, are two of British TV's best-known faces and have fronted the likes of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, Britain's Got Talentand their own gameshow Limitless Win
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The Geordie duo, who recently turned 50, are two of British TV’s best-known faces and have fronted the likes of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Britain’s Got Talentand their own gameshow Limitless Win

Initially finding fame as teenagers on Byker Grove, the duo - pictured here on Limitless Win - will remain at the helm of ITV's presenting department until at least 2028
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Initially finding fame as teenagers on Byker Grove, the duo – pictured here on Limitless Win – will remain at the helm of ITV’s presenting department until at least 2028

If the insider’s comments are anything to go by, ITV will be overjoyed by the duo’s renewed commitment to the broadcaster – and they appear to be delighted about it too.

Ant said of the partnership: ‘We are absolutely delighted to be continuing our long standing and creative partnership with our friends at ITV.’

Dec added: ‘We’re so lucky to work on some of the biggest and best TV shows and we’re proud of what we have achieved together with ITV over the years.

‘We’re excited for the future and looking forward to making more great entertainment together.’

Ant and Dec’s presenting partnership has been one of the most successful in TV history and they have won the National Television Award for Best Presenter a whopping 23 times.

Kevin Lygo, the Managing Director for Media and Entertainment said: ‘Ant & Dec’s impact upon the world of live entertainment is unrivalled, with their triumphant partnership reigning supreme for over three decades.

‘This new three year working relationship marks an exciting new chapter with ITV, which I have no doubt will be full of yet more unmissable entertainment.’

News of the partnership comes after Byker Grove, the iconic British children’s TV show that launched Ant and Dec‘s careers, was hit with a trigger warning 36 years on from its first release.

Ant and Dec's presenting partnership has been one of the most successful in TV history and they have won the National Television Award for Best Presenter a whopping 23 times
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Ant and Dec’s presenting partnership has been one of the most successful in TV history and they have won the National Television Award for Best Presenter a whopping 23 times

News of the partnership comes after Byker Grove, the iconic British children's TV show that launched Ant and Dec's careers, was hit with a trigger warning 36 years on from its first release
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News of the partnership comes after Byker Grove, the iconic British children’s TV show that launched Ant and Dec’s careers, was hit with a trigger warning 36 years on from its first release

Byker Grove recently returned to ITVX to entertain a new generation of audiences, but because of its ‘outdated attitudes’ and use of ‘discriminatory language’, ITV bosses decided to give the show a trigger warning.

Some of its controversial moments include the use of the racial slur ‘d****e’ and a short character being described as a ‘midget’.

In scenes that are a world away from modern shows for teens, the youngsters at the Newcastle-based youth club can be seen smoking cigarettes.

Other older TV shows that have also been hit with a trigger warning by ITV include Crossroads and Midsomer Murders. The Daily Mail has reached out to ITV comment.

First airing way back in November 1989, Byker Grove proved itself to be an instant hit thanks to its tackling of hard-hitting issues in an accessible way for young people, including drug addiction, child abuse, homophobia and abortion.

Some of its iconic scenes include a paintball fight that went drastically wrong and saw character PJ, played by Ant McPartlin, blinded in one eye by his girlfriend Debbie and another girl, Amanda, after they discovered that he had been dating them both at the same time.

Ant and Dec’s production company, Mitre Studios, which owns the rights to the classic kids’ show, enabled it to be brought back to ITVX.