Protective pal Declan Donnelly

Declan Donnelly has vowed to protect Ant McPartlin from any more potential punch-ups.

The pint-sized presenter explained he has "got the back" of his 'Britain's Got Talent' co-host - who was recently beaten up in his local pub in Chiswick, West London - as the duo "always look out for each other".

Dec explained: "I've always got his back, but more than ever from now on. We always look out for each other, so I'd have his back in a fight. And vice versa."

However, after making a full recovery from the violent incident last week, Ant admitted the fight was nothing more than "handbags at dawn".

He told the Daily Star newspaper: "It was a storm in a teacup, just handbags at dawn. Don't worry, I can take care of myself."

The pair also confessed they are missing music mogul Simon Cowell - who is currently in the US launching the Stateside version of 'The X Factor' - as they used to enjoy taking the mickey out of him during 'Britain's Got Talent' rehearsals.

Dec added: "We miss working with him because we have fun and we like taking the mickey out of him. It's always great to hear what he has to say because he says what you're thinking and that's what makes him so brilliant."