Ant and Dec to quit ITV?

Geordie duo Ant and Dec have said they may leave ITV.

12:08 23 August 2004

Geordie duo Ant and Dec have said they may leave ITV.

The double act revealed that they are not sure what they are going to do after their current contract with ITV expires at the end of the year.

According to the Daily Star the "Pop Idol" and "I'm a Celebrity. . ." frontmen have hinted that they might switch channels and this could begin a bidding war as the BBC seeks to prize them away from its commercial rivals.

Declan Donnelly (Dec), 28, told the paper: "We're looking at ideas and we've got lots of things in our heads, but nothing for the immediate future - some will be for a few years down the line."

"They're still in the entertainment side of things and there are a few sitcoms flying around," he added.

The pair began their television career with the BBC as PJ and Duncan on the children's series "Byker Grove" and there have been rumours that they might return to their roots and switch networks.

But before their contract runs out and any switch could take place Ant and Dec are lined up to present a new series of "Saturday Night Takeaway" followed by a series of "I'm A Celebrity. . ." in Australia.