According to The Sun, the 42-year-old told the audience after cameras stopped rolling that it had been the 'weirdest' show - but admitted he 'couldn't have done it without' them, as his first solo job in 29 years.
Dec was praised by friends and fans alike for his efforts, after an embattled Ant checked back into rehab earlier this month following his drink-drive charge.
Emotional: Declan Donnelly gave an emotional speech after hosting his first Saturday Night Takeaway without sidekick Ant McPartlin, following his drink-driving arrest
Proud: Scarlett Moffatt later threw her support behind Dec by sharing a selfie of the full episode's cast, captioned simply with two love hearts
The emotional star said to the audience: 'It’s been the weirdest, weirdest show. But I wanted to say a huge, huge thank you to lots of people here.
'That reception when I came down the stairs... I wasn’t sure what was going to happen.'
Overwhelmed: Dec is thought to have welled up after cameras stopped rolling, telling the audience: 'It’s been the weirdest, weirdest show. I couldn’t have done it without you guys'
Expressing his gratitude for their support, he added: 'I wasn’t sure how I was going to do or how you were going to react, but you carried me all the way through the show. I couldn’t have done it without you guys.'
He went on to joke that they all deserved a drink at the bar, before giving another speech at the after-party, which thanked the production team and the presenting duo's 'home' of ITV.
Scarlett Moffatt, who acts as a co-host on the show, later took to Instagram to throw her support behind Dec after his triumphant evening.
Proud: He went on to joke that they all deserved a drink at the bar, before giving another speech at the after-party, which thanked production and the presenting duo's 'home' of ITV
Momentous: It marked the first time Dec had hosted a show without Ant (L) in 29 years, after his famous sidekick was arrested and charged for drink-driving in March (pictured in 2015)
The former Gogglebox star simply shared a selfie of the full cast, with Dec at the forefront, captioned with two love hearts.
However, it was later claimed there was an unusual atmosphere in the studio after the show, as the cast and crew prepared to bid the ITV studios farewell ahead of their move to White City.
Claiming the post-show celebrations had not felt right without Ant, an insider told the Mirror: 'Dec handled the occasion very professionally, but there was a huge sense of relief when the show ended.
Missing piece: However, it was later claimed there was an unusual atmosphere after the show, as the cast and crew celebrated the final episode at the current ITV studios without Ant
'There were always some drinks planned for after the show to toast the studios where so many of the team have spent so many years working. But it was quiet in light of recent events.'
The show marked the first time Dec had hosted without Ant in 29 years, after his famous sidekick was arrested and charged for drink-driving earlier this month - following his involvement in a three-car collision in Richmond.
However, Dec's solo attempt at presenting the hit ITV show amassed a staggering 8.6 million viewers - 700,000 more than the previous episode, making it the most watched episode of this series.
The presenter, who tweeted he had barely slept the night before from nerves, was hailed a 'hero' by viewers as he joked he would have to do 'twice the work' after Ant's readmission to rehab.
He's a trooper: Dec's solo attempt at presenting the hit ITV show amassed a staggering 8.6 million viewers - making it the most watched episode of this series
ITV bosses will no doubt be delighted with the ratings, after they were forced to pull the show last week.
Dec, who oversaw an almost seamless live 90-minute show with dropping a box of popcorn being his only mishap, said the fate had been 'unavoidable' in recent weeks but did not explicitly mention why Ant, also 42, was missing.
Following the programme, he tweeted: 'Thanks for all your lovely messages tonight, they are VERY much appreciated, I'm glad you enjoyed the show. I didn't sleep an awful lot last night so I'm off to bed! Night y'all. D x'
Solo debut: The 42-year-old, who tweeted he had barely slept the night before from nerves, was hailed a 'hero' by viewers as he joked he would have to do 'twice the work'
'Has the country ever wanted one person to do so well as much as tonight?' the first tweet read, while another wrote 'Well done Dec. You were brilliant as usual!'
Lisa also liked Kate Thornton's tweet: 'A total masterclass in professionalism tonight from Dec - doing both of you proud @ antanddec. Felt so emotional watching you fly solo.'
Flying solo: ITV bosses will no doubt be delighted with the ratings, after they were forced to pull the show last week
Nervous? At one point Dec said following the news had been 'unavoidable' in recent weeks
Heading out together: Dec opened the show with: 'Thank you for that very warm welcome Paloma. I've got twice the amount of work to do so we're going to crack on'
Dec did not directly address his co-host's absence, while guest announcer Stephen Merchant quipped he was available to join Dec on the stage if 'he needed any help down there'.
Dec joked: 'Don't worry no one has packed up and is going home as it's not gone that badly. Wanna go out on a high this evening.' Later he added: 'I'll have do this on my own — like everything else this week.'
Although Ant bowed out of his live presenting duties on the show, he appeared briefly in a pre-recorded comedy sketch, Saturday Knight Takeaway.
Merchant paid tribute to television sidekick Ant in a playful manner when he pointed out; 'you should do more with that guy. He was good.'
Thousands of fans were quick to heap compliments, praise and support on Dec on Twitter, however others noted that he looked nervous on the stage by himself.
'I know Ant would be proud of you. Here's hoping that he will do as great a job at Florida next week.'
Another tweeted: 'Dec you did yourself & Ant proud, it was a fabulous but emotional show, keep smiling. looking forward to next week.'
While others said: 'Are we just not mentioning the...obvious thing...then?'Dec presenting by himself makes me really sad.'
'Feel like I could cry for Dec right now'; 'Bless him, you can tell he's a bit emotional! Good on him for getting up there and doing it!'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-5568187/Declan-Donnelly-gives-emotional-speech-Saturday-Night-Takeaway-without-Ant-McPartlin.html#ixzz5BX2pmkoy
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook'I feel like it should have been address [sic] that Dec is alone tonight, there's nothing wrong with mental health'.
Regular support presenters Stephen Mulhern, 40, and Scarlett, 27, also lent a helping hand while singer Paloma Faith also made a guest appearance during the hotly-anticipated episode.
To ensure Ant's absence was handled with the care it needed, ITV bosses penned a script for Dec to read during the exciting opening of the British show rather than letting the personality 'wing it' on live television.
Saturday Night Takeaway insiders told MailOnline the final touches were added to the speech by bosses in script meetings earlier in the day.
The source said: 'Performing without Ant has been a huge deal for Dec, he has been nervous all week.
'But he has promised Ant he has absolutely no plans to replace him and he will save his role by going it alone until he gets better. He is thinking of it as keeping his seat warm.
'While it has been a difficult time for Dec, he just wants his friend back and he has made assurances that there is no rush and he most certainly isn't going to ditch him. They are in this together.'
Split up: The presenter hosted the show for the first time without Ant McPartlin in light of his co-host's drink driving charge and subsequent return to rehab
Singing sensation: The songstress pulled out all the stops as she performed Upside Down on the show
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