Simon Cowell feels as though Ant McPartlin's 'Britain's Got Talent' break "never happened".
Simon Cowell
The 59-year-old music mogul is delighted Ant and Declan Donnelly have reunited to co-host the latest series of the talent show this year - after Ant took some time out of the spotlight last year following a drink-driving conviction, leaving Dec to present the show alone - because he "really did miss him".
He said: "It's like it never happened. That's when you know it's comfortable because we're all back together again, we're friends.
"These things happen, and I really did miss him."
Simon has been a judge on every 'BGT' series, including the upcoming 13th edition, and says Ant - who has co-hosted each season alongside Dec, apart from last year - looks the "happiest" he has seen him for a while.
Speaking on 'Lorraine', he added: "It's the happiest I've seen him for a long, long time."
Simon's comments come just days after fellow 'BGT' judge David Walliams said he felt "really emotional" to see Ant and Dec reunite on the show.
He said: "It was lovely to see when they stepped back on the stage together in London how excited people were to see them together.
"It was really emotional and I was pleased for them. It was just how it always was.
"Ant and Dec are really nice blokes and they are 'what you see is what you get' type of people.
"It's not like they have a persona that's different to how they are on TV, that's why people love them so much, they're just so natural and themselves.
"It was nice being back together. I love being around those two.
"Obviously, I don't get to do so much with them because we're on the judges' table, but I feel a kinship with them because, well, one is I've known them for about 25 years because I started off writing for them."
Fellow judges Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden have echoed the comedian's views.
Alesha said: "It's been like getting the family back together, it just feels normal. We've been working together for so long now that when we're together it just feels right."
Amanda added: "Oh, this year has been so lovely! The live shows were not the same without him [Ant]."
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