SATURDAY Night Takeaway viewers threatened to ‘boycott’ the show as JLS announced a huge surprise.

The former X Factor runners up took part in the karaoke segment on the ITV primetime show.

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Ant and Dec faced a potential viewer boycottCredit: ITV

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JLS teased a huge surprise during their performanceCredit: ITV

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The group joined the longtime primetime presenters live on ITVCredit: ITV

Marvin Humes introduced the special guestCredit: ITV
JLS – made up of Aston Merrygold, Oritsé Williams, JB Gill and I’m A Celebrity star Marvin Humes – appeared on Saturday Night Takeaway for a high-profile gig.

Before they took to the stage, the group made an announcement that they had a huge surprise coming up at the end of their performance.

Viewers immediately got excited as they thought King Of The Jungle Sam Thompson could join Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly on stage.

On the endurance show, he famously performed in camp whilst his co-star Marvin attempted to teach him the choreography.

But Ant and Dec viewers threatened to boycott the show after they teased the segment if he did not show up.

One viewer fumed: “If sam doesn’t come out im boycotting #saturdaynighttakeaway.”

A second noted: “Surprise in between the song? If Sam Thompson doesn’t come out it’s such a missed opportunity 🤣.”

“Please bring Sam on i beg of you 🙏,” posted a third fan.

As a fourth added: “If it’s not Sam Thompson I’ll scream #SaturdayNightTakeaway.”

However, other viewers said they were planning on turning over to another channel if he did show up to sing.

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Sam Thompson’s jungle highlights
One person tweeted a GIF of a moody teenager switching off a programme with a remote.

Alongside this, they wrote: “Me preparing to turn off when Sam Thompson appears with JLS.”

Another said: “Talentless Sam Thompson has to pop up on almost everything doesn’t he! 🙄 💤.”

“F****** sam thomson again…. He’s the male Alison Hammond. Bloody everywhere,” fumed someone else.

And an additional fan vowed: “Attention seeker Sam. Great time to make a coffee.”

Eventually the former Made In Chelsea star did make an appearance to perform a rendition of the hit track ‘She Makes Me Wanna’ with the group.

He looked overjoyed on the live programme as he reunited with his former co-star and lived out his dream.

“I am the happiest man, if 17 year-old me could see this he would die,” he beamed. “I had vocal coaching for this!”

Fans couldn’t help but smile and laugh as they soaked up his infectious energy.

One fan gushed: “Not sam finally getting his moment with jls, i am SOBBING.”

Ant and Dec’s incredible career

ANT McPartlin and Declan Donnelly met on the set of Byker Grove in 1990.

The two went on to have chart success under their characters’ names – including their 1994 No1 smash hit Let’s Get Ready To Rhumble.

They haven’t looked back since then, going on to present some of the most popular shows on TV.

Here’s a rundown of some of their most popular shows – plus one “dud”.

The Ant & Dec Show – this late afternoon kids’ entertainment series ran from 1995-1996 for 17 episodes
Ant & Dec Unzipped – the twosome jumped from ITV to Channel 4 for this children’s sketch show in 1997
SM:TV Live – the duo teamed up with Cat Deeley in 1998 for Saturday morning mayhem including the classic Wonkey Donkey game
Friends Like These – the Geordie pair hopped channels again, landing on BBC One to present this game show from 1999 until 2001
Pop Idol – before The X Factor there was Pop Idol, which ran for two seasons in 2001 and 2002 and saw Michelle McManus and Will Young crowned the winners
I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here – the reality TV show began in 2002, with Dec presenting all 23 seasons, even one without sidekick Ant as Holly Willoughby stepped up
Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway – this show also began in 2002, but the lads said the 2024 offering would be their last
PokerFace – Ant and Dec created this game show which aired from 2006-2007. with a top prize of £1million.
Britain’s Got Talent – the TV series began in 2007 with the pair’s backstage antics loved by fans. They also took part in silly competitions on Stephen Mulhern’s ITV spin-off Britain’s Got More Talent
Red Or Black – the show only aired for two seasons in 2011 and 2012. It was one of the pair’s rare “flops” with Dec admitting “we got it wrong”
Ant & Dec’s Limitless Win – the pair had another success on their hands when this show hit screens in 2022

A second posted: “Sam getting his moment singing with jls bless him #saturdaynighttakeaway.”

“Watching sam thompson live his best life with jls is making me so happy #SaturdayNightTakeaway,” stated a third viewer.

Meanwhile, a fourth stated: “Sam singing and dancing with JLS is one of the most joyful things I’ve seen on tv in a long time hahaha.”

And a fifth user added: “Sam Thompson is the definition of living your dreams and I love that for him😂 #SaturdayNightTakeaway.”

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Sam Thompson was overjoyed when he got to join the groupCredit: ITV

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Viewers threatened to boycott the show is the current reigning King Of The Jungle did not come out with the bandCredit: ITV

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For one night only, the reality star got to perform with JLSCredit: ITV

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He already mastered the choreography thanks to Marvin’s teaching in the jungleCredit: ITV

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Sam insisted it was a dream come true to perform with the bandCredit: ITV