Cat Deeley says she and Ant & Dec were 'rubbish' presenters during SMTV days

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Cat Deeley has said that the trio of her, Ant & Dec were "rubbish presenters" as they found their feet in the industry back in the 90s.

The three of them hosted SM:TV - Saturday Morning Television - together, between 1998 and 2002.

But Cat recalled that despite their presentation, they were all given the "amazing luxury" to learn from the show and develop their "amazing chemistry."

Cat, now 43, wrote in The Big Issue's Letter To My Younger Self column: "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.'

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Cat said that the three of them were 'rubbish' presenters in the early days (Image: Ken McKay/REX/Shutterstock)

"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."

Cat has gone on to forge a career across the pond, being nominated for five Primetime Emmys since 2006 for her hosting on So You Think You Can Dance US.

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She reflected that they'd been given a great opportunity to learn about the industry (Image: SMTV)
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They hosted between 1998 and 2002 (Image: SMTV)

Cat, reflecting on her move to the States, continued: "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.'

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Ant & Dec have gone on to host I'm A Celeb, among many other things (Image: James Gourley/ITV/REX)
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Cat made a huge splash over in the States (Image: Getty Images)

"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."

Ant & Dec, meanwhile, have also gone to great things, fronting I'm A Celebrity (which turns 20 this year) as well as a string of other projects.

Most recently they've been back on our screens for the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent.