Declan Donnelly

Ant and Dec have apologised for impersonating people of colour on Saturday Night Takeaway.

The Newcastle duo concealed their real identities with darker make-up and prosthetics in order to pull pranks on famous people.

Graham EVACopyright: Graham EVA

In a statement on Wednesday, they said they were "sincerely sorry" and had requested ITV remove the 2003 and 2004 sketches from its catch-up service.

Their apology follows widespread Black Lives Matter protests, in the US and the UK, over the death of George Floyd.

Geordie duo Ant and Dec are up for yet another National Television Award after being reunited on the small screen.

The pair are shortlisted in the best TV presenter category for the 19th year.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

They scooped the title at last year's ceremony, voted for by viewers, despite Ant McPartlin having been off-screen for much of the time.

Holly Willoughby filled in for Ant in the jungle in 2018 following his arrest for drink-driving but he was back with Dec fronting I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! together in November 2019.

The Britain's Got Talent hosts face competition from Graham Norton, Bradley Walsh, Willoughby and Phillip Schofield at the 25th anniversary of the TV gongs.

In the talent show category, Simon Cowell's X Factor is absent.

It has been another golden year for Geordie duo Ant and Dec, who were named as best presenters for the 18th time in a row at the National Television Awards.

The award came as a surprise for the pair, following Ant's drink-drive conviction last year and subsequent absence from screens.

PACopyright: PA

Ant appeared emotional describing the win as a "shock".

Bodyguard and Emmerdale were the biggest winners of the night, both taking home two awards.

I'm A Celebrity also came out on top, beating Love Island and Graham Norton to the best entertainment award.