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World Cup Viewers Flee as Ant & Dec Hijack Coverage
28 Jun
Summary
- Football fans expressed dismay at Ant and Dec's appearance.
- Many viewers threatened to switch channels during coverage.
- The duo appeared during England's World Cup match buildup.
Football fans expressed widespread discontent during the buildup to England's World Cup match against Panama, which was broadcast on ITV. The controversy erupted minutes into the coverage when presenters Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly joined host Laura Woods in ITV's New York studio. Their unexpected appearance prompted numerous viewers to voice their displeasure on social media, with many threatening to switch off their televisions or change to alternative commentary.
The appearance of the "I'm A Celebrity" hosts during the crucial pre-match discussion for a World Cup fixture was met with surprise and criticism. Comments on X (formerly Twitter) indicated a strong negative sentiment, with some fans questioning the choice of guests and suggesting that "football people" would have been more appropriate. Despite the backlash, one viewer defended the duo, arguing they were preferable to other football pundits.
England had already secured a place in the last 32 of the tournament following previous matches. The game in question was scheduled to kick off at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Fifa World Cup is available to watch on ITV and ITVX.
