Declan Donnelly has been backed by fellow broadcasters after his first ever solo presenting role on Saturday Night Takeaway.
Dermot O’Leary, Piers Morgan, and Susanna Reid were among those lauding the Geordie presenter, who was without his usual sidekick Ant McPartlin.
Presenting the show on his own for the first time in his history, Dec was given a rapturous welcome by the studio audience who he high-fived on his way to the stage.
Sending our love tonight #GoDec @antanddec @itvtakeaway pic.twitter.com/BjGdMCPe5v
— Amanda Holden (@AmandaHolden) March 31, 2018
Davina McCall, guest announcer Stephen Merchant and regular segment presenters Stephen Mulhern and Scarlett Moffatt all offered support during the show – but Dec was the official solo host.
Loving #SaturdayNightTakeaway ❤️
— Rylan Clark-Neal (@Rylan) March 31, 2018
O’Leary wrote on Twitter that Dec had “nailed it” – a call echoed by a number of other broadcasters including Rylan Clark and Gok Wan.
Love Dec… #saturdaynight @itvtakeaway
— Gok Wan (@therealgokwan) March 31, 2018
Bloody Dec! Knew he’d nail it. Well done buddy. @antanddec x
— Dermot O'Leary (@radioleary) March 31, 2018
Morgan wrote on Twitter: “And then there was one…. Good luck, Dec. Tough night but we’re all rooting for you mate.”
His Good Morning Britain co-presenter Reid added: “He’s really easing into it and getting more comfortable as he realises how much the audience is with him.”
Well done Dec. You were brilliant as usual! @antanddec #SaturdayNightTakeaway
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) March 31, 2018
Brilliant Dec. Can’t begin to imagine how difficult that must’ve been for you x #SaturdayNightTakeaway @antanddec
— Sally Ann Matthews (@SallyAnMatthews) March 31, 2018
A total pro. Well done Dec. What a show. @antanddec #SaturdayNightTakeaway
— Matt Edmondson (@MattEdmondson) March 31, 2018
Some clever lines from @StephenMerchant seem to have cheered Dec up on @itvtakeaway #SaturdayNightTakeaway pic.twitter.com/g7S3XcdniH
— Victoria Derbyshire (@vicderbyshire) March 31, 2018
Dec is a legend and a true pro 👊🏼 #ClassAct #SaturdayNightTakeaway
— Ashley Banjo (@AshleyBanjo) March 31, 2018
Big big love for Dec. Doing a grand job. Digging @StephenMerchant facial hairiness. #sofaponders #SaturdayNightTakeaway
— Zoe Ball (@ZoeTheBall) March 31, 2018
Zoe Ball, Matt Edmondson, Ashley Banjo and Victoria Derbyshire also praised Dec’s solo performance, as did fellow Geordie and ex-England international Alan Shearer.
The former footballer wrote on Twitter: “Well done Dec. You were brilliant as usual!.”