ITV is reportedly in talks to transform soap stars Adam Thomas and Ryan Thomas into the new Ant and Dec, for a thrilling new gameshow.
Britain’s Got Talent stars Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, both 47, are taking a step back from Saturday Night Takeaway as it goes on hiatus after this 20th series – but it looks like brothers Adam and Ryan are being lined up for a new weekend gameshow on the channel.
The Emmerdale and Coronation Street stars are said to be in talks to front 99 to Beat, a series with 100 contestants where the aim is to just not come last.
A source said: ‘This game show will bring plenty of laughs and needs happy-go-lucky hosts at the helm.
‘Ryan and Adam fit the bill perfectly and it would be great to see the brothers working together as TV hosts for the first time.’
The insider added to The Mirror: ‘This could be a really exciting new chapter for them and should be a lot of fun. They are so natural together. Hey, it worked for Ant and Dec…’
It is understood that Adam and Ryan have not yet officially signed for the show, but are in talks, with their cheeky nature and close relationship said to be appealing to ITV viewers.
The gameshow, which has already been produced in seven countries, will see contestants go head-to-head, in a range of ‘visually distinctive’ games, in a similar approach to Squid Game: The Challenge as players are slowly whittled down to the final one.
Ryan and Adam are no stranger to reality competitions, though this would be their first gig presenting.
Waterloo Road star Adam, who played Adam Barton on Emmerdale between 2009 and 2018, has appeared on the likes I’m A Celebrity, where he finished in third place behind Scarlett Moffatt and Joel Dommett, and more recently on Strictly Come Dancing paired with Luba Mushtuk.
Meanwhile, Corrie star Ryan, who played Jason Grimshaw on the soap between 2006 and 2016, won Celebrity Big Brother in 2018, after Roxanne Pallett’s infamous ‘punch-gate’ which sparked outrage from fans.
His winning streak continued earlier this year, having been crowned Dancing On Ice champion alongside professional skating partner Amani Fancy.
The pair also have another brother, Adam’s twin Scott, who appeared on Love Island in 2016.
Metro.co.uk has approached ITV and reps for Adam and Ryan for comment.
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