Ant breaks down in tears after standing ovation at Britain's Got Talent reunion with Dec

18 January 2019, 17:12 | Updated: 23 March 2019, 23:12

There was an emotional TV reunion in London today...

Ant McPartlin broke down in tears when he appeared onstage for the first time after a year away from the spotlight.

He was given a standing ovation on his return to work at Britain's Got Talent auditions on Friday (January 18), reuniting with Declan Donnelly.

Dec welcomed him with a big hug, after Ant's year-long break form presenting. Ant was convicted of drink-driving following a crash in March last year.

Introducing Ant, Dec said: "We've got a bunch of acts backstage who are eager to get out here and perform for you. The judges are back, the buzzers are back... and someone else is back.

"My co-host for this series, would you please welcome - Mr Ant McPartlin!"

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#BGT 2019. Audition day 1. The boys are back in town!

A post shared by Ant & Dec (@antanddecofficial) on Jan 18, 2019 at 5:57am PST

Moved to tears, Ant said: "Oh god, I'm really, really emotional now. I've missed you all." Speaking to Dec, he added: "As for you! I've missed you."

He continued: "What a lovely welcome. What a great show to come back to. I'm thrilled, I'm over the moon. Shall we crack on before I cry?"

Ant pulled out of co-hosting Saturday Night Takeaway in March last year, after he was arrested for drink driving.

Dec then presented the rest of the series on his own, and later did the same for last year's Britain's Got Talent and I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!, with Holly Willoughby replacing Ant on the latter.

Welcome back, Ant!