Ant... and decked!

Britain’s Got Talent host’s dramatic slip-up on live TV

HE’s had his fair share of ups and downs over the years.

And the first live semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent got off to a slippery start as host Ant McPartlin fell over on stage.

It kicked off with McPartlin and co-host Declan Donnelly, both 47, introducing the four judges, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli.

They then surprised the audience with their special guests, 200 BGT winners Diversity, who performed on stage. At the end, dance troupe leader Ashley Banjo ran forward as McPartlin and Donnelly ran to join him.

But Ant’s feet slipped right out from under him and he slammed to the floor. The judges fell about laughing as McPartlin got back on his feet and Donnelly asked him if he was okay.

Laughing off the blunder, the hosts made their way to the judging panel to talk before the show. Cowell quipped that it was the duo’s best entrance yet.

And to add insult to injury, Donnelly took the opportunity after the break to replay the fall in slow-motion – much to McPartlin’s displeasure.

McPartlin quipped: ‘I’m making a claim! That was a very slippy stage.’ Donnelly added: ‘You’d better lawyer up.’ As the star left the studio later on Monday, he had a swollen cheek.