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Ant and Dec to reunite with Cat Deeley for SMTV special

Ant and Dec will reunite with co-star Cat Deeley for a ‘SMTV’ one-off special.

The Geordie duo will mark their 30 years in showbiz by returning for a special episode of the Saturday morning show later this year, alongside their co-host.

An insider told The Sun newspaper: "’SMTV’ was such a huge part of Ant and Dec’s career they knew they wanted to mark it in some way.

"The show will look back on some of the best moments and see old guests reminisce."

The trio presented the show – which featured competitions, sketches and challenges – from 1998 until Ant and Dec, both 44, decided to leave in 2001, and Cat departed in 2002.

During their run, the ITV children’s show featured their own sitcom ‘Chums’ which was a spoof series of ‘Friends’ and saw a host of celebrity guests.

After the trio left the show to focus on other presenting roles, ‘SMTV’ was hosted by Steps stars Ian "H" Watkins and Claire Richards, among others, until the programme’s end in 2003.

H felt the show was like a "youth club" after being able to meet all his pop peers, as well as some huge stars.

He recalled: "We were probably on there more than any other band. It was almost like a youth club. We’d meet our pop peers so there would be Five or B*Witched and then in the corner you’d see Mariah Carey rehearsing ‘Chums’."

The reunion show comes after the presenting pals decided to host a virtual event to look back on their 30 years on TV and to promote their upcoming book ‘Once Upon A Tyne’.

In a post on Instagram, they wrote: "Seeing as we can’t see you all face to face with a real life book tour, we thought why not have a ‘virtual’ natter instead?!

"Chatting and sharing stories from #OnceUponATyne and our 30 years in telly, and we’d love you to join us.

"@SantanderUK are proud sponsors of the event in aid of @PrincesTrust. (sic)"

Ant and Dec rose to fame on ‘Byker Grove’ in the 90s and have gone on to host several top shows, including ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ and ‘I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!’.