Lots of people were angry with Dec’s off-screen request after Saturday Night Takeaway

"What if he had seriously injured or killed the people?"

Last night we watched Dec Donnelly present the series finale of Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway live from Orlando, Florida with Scarlett Moffatt and Stephen Mulhern. It was an emotional show as Dec's onscreen other half, Ant McPartlin, is currently in rehab but the three kept the show on the road and went down a storm with viewers.

What a fantastic show, Dec you were amazing, you should be so proud of yourself. #SaturdayNightTakeaway

— Karen Smalley (@ksmalley40) April 8, 2018

Catching up on #SaturdayNightTakeaway - such a good finale ? Dec and the team have done an amazing job!!

— Emma Thompson (@emmathompy) April 8, 2018

The night didn't go off without any controversy though. After the cameras had stopped rolling, Dec thanked the audience for its support. "It’s been a fun series. It’s been tinged with sadness," he told the crowd. An audience member then shouted out "We miss Ant." Dec replied “Yes, we do. Give a round of applause to Ant who’s back home." The remark circulated on social media last night, with lots of people objecting to applauding a drink driver.

Saturday Night Takeaway: Applause for McPartlin at finale #joke #drinkanddrive #SaturdayNightTakeaway yes lets all drink and drive have a crash and celebrate https://t.co/9Znj5J9o3y

— Phil Graves (@philthygraves80) April 8, 2018

So getting a drink-driver a round of applause is the thing now for @antanddec in #SaturdayNightTakeaway just because of who it is?

Shame on you @ITV. Let's all give all drink drivers who injure or kill people a cheer shall we? Yay! ? — Chris (@GelNerd) April 8, 2018

What if he had seriously injured or killed the people in the other cars, in fact how would you react if he'd run over a family member or friend, driving while intoxicated...? @ITV @antanddec #SaturdayNightTakeaway

— alexgray (@gray410) April 8, 2018

Ant was charged with drink-driving last month after a road accident in London involving another car.