SM:TV Live won over thousands of fans in the late nineties, but presenter Cat Deeley has admitted that the show got off to a shaky start.
The star, 43, fronted the Saturday morning ITV show with Ant and Dec from 1998 until 2002.
Reflecting on her years of hosting the programme, Deeley said they were offered an “amazing luxury” to learn on the job and develop genuine chemistry.
Writing in The Big Issue’s Letter To My Younger Self column, she said: “People forget, when we started SM:TV we were rubbish. And nobody watched it at all.
“It only stayed on air because Nigel Pickard, who was in charge of ITV kids’ programmes at the time, said: ‘We’ve got nothing else to fill the slot with. I know they’re rubbish now, but I think they’ve got something; let’s just keep them on, no one’s watching anyway.’
“So we had this amazing luxury, where we were all learning together.
“And because we were surrounded by a brilliant crew it came together, there was a lovely chemistry between myself and Ant and Dec. Also, we all genuinely really liked each other.”
Ant and Dec – In pictures
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly host ‘I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015
ITV
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly AKA PJ and Duncan with their hit single ‘Let’s get ready to rumble
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Anthony McPartlin, Cat Deeley and Declan Donnelly on SM:TV in 2000
Rex
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PJ and Duncan (Ant and Dec) in Byker Grove
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly in theri breakthrough programme Byker Grove
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Newcastle United fans and entertainers Ant (Anthony McPartlin) and Dec (Declan Donnelly) at the launch at St James’ Park in 1995
Getty Images
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly star in Byker Grove in 2000
BBC
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly host SM:TV Live in 2000
Rex Features
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly with Cat Deeley presenting Party in the Park
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly host ‘Friends Like These’ in 2000
BBC
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly hosts of The Brit Awards in 2001
ITV
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Pop Idol presenters Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly celebrate with Will Young after he won the inaugural series in 2002
PA
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Pop Idol judges Simon Cowell, Pete Waterman, Nicki Chapman and Neil Fox pose with show hosts Ant and Dec in 2003
/PA
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly host Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway in 2003
ITV
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly in disguise present Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway in 2003
ITV
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Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly for Most Popular Entertainment Programme for Saturday Night Takeaway with Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, at the 10th Anniversary National Television Awards 2004
PA
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly host Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway
ITV
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly provide the voices behind CITV’s engaging pre-school animation series Engie Benjy – Dec is the voice
ITV
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Spitting Image puppets mimic Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly in 2006
PA
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly with Britain;ls Got Talent winner Paul Potts in 2007
Rex Features
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly laugh backstage at Britain’s Got Talent in 2007
ITV
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Red Or Black with Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly in 2011
ITV
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Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly at House Festival, Chiswick House & Gardens in 2012
Getty Images
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly hosts for ‘I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!
ITV
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Anthony McPartlin (L) and Declan Donnelly, winners of Best Entertainment Programme for “Ant & Dec Saturday Night Takeaway”, pose in the winners room at the House of Fraser British Academy Television Awards at Theatre Royal in 2015
Dave Benett
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George Shelley takes part in his final trial, watched by Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly in 2015
Rex
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Kim Kardashian West, Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly attend the BRIT Awards 2015
Dave Benett
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly host Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway in 2016
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Ant vs Dec in Saturday Night Takeaway
ITV
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Britain’s Got Talent presenters Anthony McPartlin, left, and Declan Donnelly arrive for the Blackpool auditions for ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ at The Opera House in 2017
Getty Images
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Ant and Dec on stage in Britain’s Got Talent
ITV
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Ant and Dec arrive at Buckingham Palace, London, where the pair will be awarded OBE’s by the Prince of Wales at an Investiture ceremony in 2017
PA
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly in Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway: The Missing Crown Jewels (Part 3) with Michael Sheen in 2017
ITV
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Ant and Dec and their wives Lisa Armstrong and Ali Astall arrive at Buckingham Palace, London, where the pair will be awarded OBE’s by the Prince of Wales at an Investiture ceremony in 2017
PA
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Ant and Dec in the press room with the award for Best Challenge Show ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here’ at the National Television Awards 2017
PA
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Ant McPartlin (left to right), Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, Simon Cowell, David Walliams and Declan Donnelly attending the Britain’s Got Talent Photocall at the Opera House, Church Street, Blackpool in January 2018
PA
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Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway
ITV
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Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway
ITV
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly on ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ in 2017
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Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway
ITV
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Britain’s Got Talent with Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly
ITV
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Britain’s Got Talent with Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly
ITV
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly on Britain’s Got Talent in 2019
Syco/Thames
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Presenters Anthony McPartli and Declan Donnelly at a photo call for Britain’s Got Talent at the London Palladium in 2019
PA
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Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly on Britain’s Got Talent 2019
ITV
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly with Colin Thackery on Britain’s Got Talent TV Show, Series 13 in 2019
Dymond/Thames/Syco/Rex Features
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Anthony McPartlin (left) and Declan Donnelly attending the Virgin Media BAFTA TV Awards 2019
Matt Crossick/PA
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Ant McPartlin (and Declan Donnelly with guide dog puppies who have been named Ant and Dec to mark the launch of the Guide Dogs Pups to Partnerships Appeal.
Christopher Ison/Guide Dogs/PA
49/49
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly attend “Ant and Dec’s DNA Journey” BAFTA TV Preview at Barbican Centre
Getty Images
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly host ‘I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015
ITV
2/49
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly AKA PJ and Duncan with their hit single ‘Let’s get ready to rumble
3/49
Anthony McPartlin, Cat Deeley and Declan Donnelly on SM:TV in 2000
Rex
4/49
PJ and Duncan (Ant and Dec) in Byker Grove
5/49
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly in theri breakthrough programme Byker Grove
6/49
Newcastle United fans and entertainers Ant (Anthony McPartlin) and Dec (Declan Donnelly) at the launch at St James’ Park in 1995
Getty Images
7/49
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly star in Byker Grove in 2000
BBC
8/49
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly host SM:TV Live in 2000
Rex Features
9/49
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly with Cat Deeley presenting Party in the Park
10/49
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly host ‘Friends Like These’ in 2000
BBC
11/49
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly hosts of The Brit Awards in 2001
ITV
12/49
Pop Idol presenters Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly celebrate with Will Young after he won the inaugural series in 2002
PA
13/49
Pop Idol judges Simon Cowell, Pete Waterman, Nicki Chapman and Neil Fox pose with show hosts Ant and Dec in 2003
/PA
14/49
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly host Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway in 2003
ITV
15/49
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly in disguise present Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway in 2003
ITV
16/49
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly for Most Popular Entertainment Programme for Saturday Night Takeaway with Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, at the 10th Anniversary National Television Awards 2004
PA
17/49
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly host Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway
ITV
18/49
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly provide the voices behind CITV’s engaging pre-school animation series Engie Benjy – Dec is the voice
ITV
19/49
Spitting Image puppets mimic Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly in 2006
PA
20/49
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly with Britain;ls Got Talent winner Paul Potts in 2007
Rex Features
21/49
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly laugh backstage at Britain’s Got Talent in 2007
ITV
22/49
Red Or Black with Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly in 2011
ITV
23/49
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly at House Festival, Chiswick House & Gardens in 2012
Getty Images
24/49
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly hosts for ‘I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!
ITV
25/49
Anthony McPartlin (L) and Declan Donnelly, winners of Best Entertainment Programme for “Ant & Dec Saturday Night Takeaway”, pose in the winners room at the House of Fraser British Academy Television Awards at Theatre Royal in 2015
Dave Benett
26/49
George Shelley takes part in his final trial, watched by Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly in 2015
Rex
27/49
Kim Kardashian West, Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly attend the BRIT Awards 2015
Dave Benett
28/49
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly host Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway in 2016
29/49
Ant vs Dec in Saturday Night Takeaway
ITV
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Britain’s Got Talent presenters Anthony McPartlin, left, and Declan Donnelly arrive for the Blackpool auditions for ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ at The Opera House in 2017
Getty Images
31/49
Ant and Dec on stage in Britain’s Got Talent
ITV
32/49
Ant and Dec arrive at Buckingham Palace, London, where the pair will be awarded OBE’s by the Prince of Wales at an Investiture ceremony in 2017
PA
33/49
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly in Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway: The Missing Crown Jewels (Part 3) with Michael Sheen in 2017
ITV
34/49
Ant and Dec and their wives Lisa Armstrong and Ali Astall arrive at Buckingham Palace, London, where the pair will be awarded OBE’s by the Prince of Wales at an Investiture ceremony in 2017
PA
35/49
Ant and Dec in the press room with the award for Best Challenge Show ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here’ at the National Television Awards 2017
PA
36/49
Ant McPartlin (left to right), Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, Simon Cowell, David Walliams and Declan Donnelly attending the Britain’s Got Talent Photocall at the Opera House, Church Street, Blackpool in January 2018
PA
37/49
Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway
ITV
38/49
Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway
ITV
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly on ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ in 2017
40/49
Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway
ITV
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Britain’s Got Talent with Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly
ITV
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Britain’s Got Talent with Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly
ITV
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly on Britain’s Got Talent in 2019
Syco/Thames
44/49
Presenters Anthony McPartli and Declan Donnelly at a photo call for Britain’s Got Talent at the London Palladium in 2019
PA
45/49
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly on Britain’s Got Talent 2019
ITV
46/49
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly with Colin Thackery on Britain’s Got Talent TV Show, Series 13 in 2019
Dymond/Thames/Syco/Rex Features
47/49
Anthony McPartlin (left) and Declan Donnelly attending the Virgin Media BAFTA TV Awards 2019
Matt Crossick/PA
48/49
Ant McPartlin (and Declan Donnelly with guide dog puppies who have been named Ant and Dec to mark the launch of the Guide Dogs Pups to Partnerships Appeal.
Christopher Ison/Guide Dogs/PA
49/49
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly attend “Ant and Dec’s DNA Journey” BAFTA TV Preview at Barbican Centre
Getty Images
Since 2006, Deeley has presented the competition show So You Think You Can Dance in the US, and been nominated for five Primetime Emmys.
Speaking about her move to the US, she said: “I think the thing that would surprise the young me about her future is what’s happened in America.
“I mean, I never went to America when I was a kid. I never went to Disneyland or anything like that, I’d never even seen it before.
“And when I did go, I never made a great proclamation: ‘I’m going to crack America.’
“A relationship had just ended and I just fancied a fun adventure. It did feel crazy at times…
“There’s no way my 16-year-old self would believe me if I went back and told her she’ll be there one day.”
The full story is in The Big Issue in print or you can subscribe online or download the app.
Reporting by Press Association
