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Why Dec Donnelly chose Holly Willoughby for I’m A Celebrity

He didn't want another man!

Declan Donnelly didn’t want Ant McPartlin to be replaced with a man on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here.

Declan Donnelly
Dec will be without Ant on I’m A Celeb for the first time ever (Credit: ITV)

Ant is taking some time away from the spotlight to focus on his sobriety – meaning he will miss hosting this year’s series of the jungle show – and now Dec has revealed why he opted for Holly Willoughby to stand in as presenter.

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Speaking to The Sun newspaper, he said: “As always I’m incredibly excited to be heading to Oz for I’m A Celebrity.

Holly Willoughby
Dec is excited to be working with Holly (Credit: ITV)

“It is obviously tinged with sadness that Ant won’t be coming this year, I’m going to really miss him, but it’s only for one series and he’ll be back stronger next year.

“I didn’t want to host this series with another guy so Holly was top of my list.”

Splashnews holly willoughby dec donnelly i'm a celeb
Holly and Dec were snapped at dinner Down Under (Credit: Splash)

Read more: Holly defends taking kids out of school for I’m A Celeb

Meanwhile, Ant helped choose Holly as his replacement on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!.

She said: “We’ve spoken and he’s happy – he was part of the decision that I’d do it. He just needs to look after himself, that’s the most important thing.

“He knows I’ll look after the show and keep it warm for him…

“On I’m A Celebrity… it’s important to have chemistry and to have a friendship as a starting point you can grow from.

Holly Willoughby
Holly had mixed feelings about taking the job (Credit: Insta)

Read more: First pictures of Holly and Dec in Oz

“It’s that unspoken thing: you know how the other person speaks, how their sentences are going to end.

That helps a lot. It’s definitely bittersweet. I’m A Celebrity… is a huge show but nobody wanted to have to be asked to do it. It’s not nice for anyone.”

Are you looking forward to seeing Dec with a new partner? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!