Ant and Dec

Ant and Dec are widely regarded as one of the most successful TV presenting duos in the UK. Anthony McPartlin was born on 18^th November 1975 and Declan Donnelly was born on 25^th September 1975 both in Newcastle. The boys grew up in the same area and attended the same school, St Cuthbert’s Roman Catholic High School.

They actually met on the set of the children’s TV show “Byker Grove” when they were thirteen years old and worked on the successful kids TV show from 1989 until 1993. In addition to their TV work, Ant and Dec released several music singles including the UK chart-topping hit “Let’s Get Ready to Rhumble” in 1994, which they performed as their TV personas, PJ and Duncan.

In their early twenties, the pair found success as television presenters on “SMTV Live” in 1998, their easy going nature and laid-back attitude won them over to audiences of all ages. The show was a huge success.

Ant and Dec hosted the reality singing competition show “Pop Idol” from 2001 until it ended in 2003. By this time, they had started “Saturday Night Takeaway” a variety show that featured comedy, games, music and celebrity interviews. The show has won multiple TV awards including several BAFTAs for Best Entertainment Programme. It’s still a popular Saturday night staple and has been on the air for over twenty years.

“I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!” also began back in 2002, and the duo have fronted the reality TV show ever since. Celebrities camp in the Australian jungle and face gruelling challenges. It has become one of the most popular reality TV shows in the UK.

In June 2007, Ant and Dec were offered the role of hosts on “Britain’s Got Talent” featuring singers, dancers, comedians and other performers competing to win a cash prize and a chance to perform at the Royal Variety Performance. This programme has been the launchpad for top entertainers like Susan Boyle, Paul Potts and Diversity.

Ant and Dec were awarded OBEs for services to broadcasting and entertainment in the 2017 Queen’s Honours, but things took a turn the following year. In 2018, Ant took a year-long break from presenting after he was charged with drunk driving following a car crash in London.

In their personal lives, Ant married his second wife Anne-Marie Corbett in 2021 and became a stepfather to two girls. Dec married Ali Astall in 2015 and the couple had a daughter Isla in 2018, and a son Jack born in 2022.

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly are two of the most famous television presenters in Britain, best friends for over thirty years and working together at the forefront of popular TV shows for decades.

Together, the pair have won 19 BAFTA TV awards and 43 National Television Awards. They have also raised millions of pounds for various charities over the years including Comic Relief and Children in Need, and both became Ambassadors for the Prince’s Trust in 2021.