Ant McPartlin was "so emotional" on his first day back on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ because he didn’t expect such "goodwill and love" from fans.
The 43-year-old TV presenter – who took time out of the spotlight last year following a drink-driving conviction – has returned to co-hosting duties on the talent show alongside Declan Donnelly, and he was overwhelmed by the positive supporter reaction as the pair were reunited.
He told the Metro newspaper: "Wow, it was so emotional for me.
"I don’t think either of us were quite prepared for that. We didn’t expect that level of goodwill and love. It was a very emotional day for me."
The new series of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ kicks off on Saturday (06.04.19), and in the first episode Ant was touched when a young contestant told him she had "missed" him.
She jumped into his arms and whispered: "I’ve missed you."
Hugging the little girl, Ant told her: "I missed you, too."
Ant was arrested in May 2018 and was later fined £86,000 and given a 20-month driving ban after pleading guilty to drink-driving.
He then took time out from his presenting partnership with Dec to focus on getting help to overcome his demons.
Elsewhere in the episode, ‘BGT’ judge David Walliams also had an emotional moment.
The ‘Little Britain’ comedian cried when Flakefleet Primary School from Lancashire performed a dance routine, because he thought their performance was "so beautiful".
David said: "I was sobbing. I don’t think I’ve sobbed on this show before, ever. It takes a lot to make me cry.
"But there was just an act which was just so beautiful so life affirming, so joyous.
"It was one of those strange things where it’s like happy tears, but you are absolutely sobbing. And actually it wasn’t just me.
"Stephen Mulhern just said there were grown men in the audience sobbing throughout it. I think it’s one of the most magic moments we have ever seen on the show."
‘Britain’s Got Talent’ returns to ITV on Saturday at 7.15pm on ITV.
Ant McPartlin overwhelmed by fan support on BGT
