Ant and Dec sexed-up 'SM:TV Live' to help make the show a success.
Ant and Dec
The popular presenting duo hosted the ITV programme alongside Cat Deeley, and amid fears their burgeoning TV careers could fall flat, they took the bold decision to spice up the kids' programme.
Ant McPartlin shared: "We are the presenters we are today because of that show.
"We learned how to do it there - and there’s no better breeding ground than Saturday morning television.
"But it wasn’t great for the first couple of months. There was no atmosphere. We got it wrong initially.
"People were putting pressure on ITV. Other production companies were saying, ‘Look, they’re not doing it ratings-wise, it’s not great. You should replace it with one of our shows.' "
Dec Donnelly admitted the pair recognised the need to change the show to ensure it wouldn't be axed.
Appearing on the ITV documentary 'The Story Of SM:TV Live', he recalled: "It had been going fairly badly for a long enough time that people were starting to ask questions. ‘Should this show be on air?’
"I thought, ‘If they pull this I’m gonna lose my house. I’ll have to go back to Newcastle and live with my parents again’. We were like, ‘Oh boy, this is bad!’"
Ant and Dec then made a conscious effort to broaden the show's appeal and make the humour a bit more saucy.
The move transformed the fortunes of 'SM:TV Live' and helped to make it a big hit with viewers.
Reflecting on the changes, Dec said: "That was always in the back of our mind when we were coming up with ideas - there was a bit for everybody.
"And it got to a point where it was not difficult to book the show because everybody wanted to come down."
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