Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly first crossed paths in 1990 while working on the second series of the children’s drama Byker Grove. Though practically inseparable over their 36-year friendship, certain questions have remained just a touch too intimate.
While recording their podcast Hanging Out With Ant and Dec, the pair touched upon Valentine's Day plans. Declan asked whether Ant had anything lined up for the weekend—but rather than phrasing it conventionally, he awkwardly blurted out: “Are you doing something sexy and nice?”
Ant immediately burst into laughter, replying, “What on earth?”, while a mortified Declan stammered: “I didn’t mean to say that. I apologise.”
Still amused, Ant admitted he did have something “sexy and nice” planned with his wife, Anne-Marie Corbett. He noted that, having been his former personal assistant, she still manages the household schedule, making it difficult to surprise her.
Declan, meanwhile, revealed he would spend Saturday with his wife, Ali Astall, who also acts as the duo’s manager. Rather than anything “sexy,” he said they would enjoy “a family Valentine’s with the kids.” It marks one of the rare occasions when the pair will not be together.
Having forged their bond during the Byker Grove years, the duo later branched into solo projects for the BBC and Channel 4 before ascending to household-name shows including SMTV Live, Pop Idol, Britain’s Got Talent, I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, and most recently Ant & Dec’s Limitless Win, airing tonight at 8pm on ITV.
Beyond their status as cherished television personalities, the pair have proven themselves shrewd businessmen, meticulously cultivating their brand and maintaining their signature alphabetical positioning, with Ant always positioned on the left and Dec on the right.
Dec served as best man at both of Ant’s weddings: first to makeup artist Lisa Armstrong in 2006, then to Anne-Marie in 2021. In a heartfelt speech, he described Ant as “the best friend a man could have.”
In May 2024, Ant and Anne-Marie welcomed their first child, Wilder. Ant is also stepfather to Anne-Marie’s teenage daughters, Daisy and Poppy.
After living near Dec in south-west London for many years, the family has now moved to a £10 million property in leafy Surrey, reportedly paying over £1 million in stamp duty.
A local resident told the Daily Mail: “Apparently, it is a record sale for the area and it’s all anyone is gossiping about. It is one of the prime private estates set within an acre of grounds, so he shouldn’t have trouble with the neighbours any more.”
Another local added: “He looks very content and is always happy to say hello to people who recognise him—but I don’t think he’ll be bothered too much around here, as we are used to celebrities frequenting the local hostelries.”
