Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, since first meeting in 1990, have become two of the world’s biggest Television presenters. Their biography facts explored.
If not for anything, you’ve surely seen Ant and Dec as hosts of Britain’s Got Talent for seasons.
The duo has ‘built their career on friendship, not a friendship built on a career’ as Ant once said in an interview, adding that it has created a strong ‘foundation’ that has kept them inseparable.
The pair have known each other now for over 30 years.
Thanks to them both being ITV’s golden duo, the popular presenters are worth a HUGE amount of money. Here’s everything we know about the pair; how they met, whether they are still friends, and how much are their net worth today.
How did Declan Donnelly meet Ant McPartlin?
Ant and Dec met in 1989 when they were just 13 years old on the set of the children’s television drama show, Byker Grove.
Ant joined the hit BBC show in 1989, in the role of PJ, short for Peter Jenkins.
Dec joined a year later in the role of Duncan and gained popularity after having several storylines together.
They also became a musical double act, under the name PJ & Duncan, scoring a top 10 single with their track Let’s Get Ready to Rhumble.
Having become real-life best friends, their on-screen chemistry proved a winner and they moved into comedy presenting.
In real life Ant and Dec are inseparable and even used to live on the same street in Chiswick, West London, before Ant divorced his now ex-wife Lisa Armstrong.
Such is the extent of their close working relationship the pair just have one joint Twitter account @antanddec.
What shows have Ant and Dec presented?
Ant and Dec are widely regarded as Britain’s most popular double act, being at the front of some of the UK’s biggest shows for over 20 years.
They have fronted some shows but hit the big time when they presented children’s Saturday morning show SMTV Live, which launched the career of Cat Deeley, as well as CD:UK, a music chart show.
After moving away from children’s television, they found success with Saturday Night Takeaway, which first aired in 2002, and are also well known for fronting I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here and Britain’s Got Talent.
In May 2023, it was announced that Ant and Dec were quitting Saturday Night Takeaway after the conclusion of their 20th series in 2024.
The pair revealed this on their shared Instagram page, with Ant saying: “We love making Saturday Night Takeaway, but reaching the milestone of 20 series seemed like the perfect time to pause for a little while and catch our breath.”
Dec added: “We still have a momentous 20th series to look forward to first so we will do our best to go out (for now) with a bang in 2024.”
Here are some of the many shows Dec has presented alongside Ant:
- The Ant & Dec show
- Ant & Dec unzipped
- SMTV Live
- Friends Like These
- Pop Idol
- Saturday Night Takeaway
- Britain’s Got Talent
- I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here
What is Declan Donnelly’s net worth?
For Dec’s long years on television, he has accumulated a more than impressive fortune.
Born Declan Joseph Oliver “Dec” Donnelly, OBE, but famously called Dec, he has an estimated current net worth of £62 million.
He accrued his money from his career as an English television presenter and producer. Much of his earnings come from his presenting roles.
Ant and Dec have a golden handshake deal with ITV.
What is Anthony McPartlin’s net worth?
Anthony McPartlin’s net worth is estimated to be more than £62 million.
Considering their outstanding work when duty calls, it’s no surprise to anyone that Ant, 47, and Dec, 48, are paid the big bucks to appear on I’m A Celebrity. Reports suggest they make an estimated £3.3 million each a month for their stint with ITV.
According to The Sun, the presenting duo signed a three-year deal worth £40million with ITV in 2022 for shows Britain’s Got Talent, I’m A Celebrity, Saturday Night Takeaway and Ant and Dec’s DNA Journey.
FAQs
Are Ant and Dec still friends?
The TV personalities are friends and still inseparable. They’ve known each other for over 31 years since they were 13.
In an interview, Ant revealed his relationship with Dec keeps going because they built their career on friends and not friendship on career, which according to him has been an unbreakable foundation.
What is the age gap between Ant and Dec?
Between Ant and Dec, the latter is the oldest and has a one-month age gap.
The duo who have the same nationality as the British come from the same city, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
While Dec was born on September 25, 1975, his partner Ant celebrated his birthday on November 18 of every month and was born in the same year, 1975.
Who is the richest out of Ant and Dec?
Both men have accumulated a huge fortune each thanks to their tens of years in the limelight, but does one of them have more money than the other? Ant and Dec’s net worth is estimated to be around £62million each. Their respective fortunes are thus equal.
How long have Ant and Dec been friends?
Ant and Dec have been friends for over 30 years now.
They met in 1989 when they were just 13 years old on the set of children’s drama Byker Grove. Ant had landed the role of PJ the DJ on the hit BBC show where Dec had already starred for one year as straight-laced teen Duncan.