For more than three decades Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have been the heart of Saturday night telly. From child actors on Byker Grove to pop stars, children's TV favourites and the faces of I'm a Celebrity and Britain's Got Talent, the Geordie duo are among the most successful presenters in British television history.
In January 2026 they launched a podcast, Hanging Out with Ant and Dec, and they are set to return to the jungle as hosts of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! later this year. Here is their story so far. Browse more stars in our TV personalities collection.
Ant & Dec Fact File
| Full names | Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly |
|---|---|
| Dates of birth | Ant: 18 November 1975 (age 50); Dec: 25 September 1975 (age 51) |
| Place of birth | Newcastle upon Tyne, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Television presenters, producers, former pop duo |
| Years active | 1989-present |
| Known for | I'm a Celebrity, Britain's Got Talent, Saturday Night Takeaway |
| Production company | Mitre Television |
| Pop alter egos | PJ & Duncan |
| Honours | OBE (2016) |
Career History
| Years | Show | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1989-1990s | Byker Grove (BBC) | Actors (PJ and Duncan) |
| 1993-1997 | PJ & Duncan | Pop duo |
| 1998-2001 | SMTV Live and CD:UK (ITV) | Presenters |
| 2001-2003 | Pop Idol (ITV) | Presenters |
| 2002-2024 | Saturday Night Takeaway (ITV) | Presenters and producers |
| 2002-present | I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (ITV) | Presenters |
| 2007-present | Britain's Got Talent (ITV) | Presenters |
| 2022-present | Limitless Win (ITV) | Presenters |
The table lists their best-known roles. Saturday Night Takeaway had a break between 2009 and 2013 before returning, and the duo stepped back from it after the 2024 series.
Early Years on Byker Grove
Both born in Newcastle in 1975, they met on the set of the BBC children's drama Byker Grove, where Dec joined in 1989 and Ant followed a year later. Playing the characters PJ and Duncan, they quickly became friends and a natural double act.
The characters' names became their first stage names. As PJ & Duncan they released a string of pop hits in the 1990s, most famously "Let's Get Ready to Rhumble", which was nominated for a BRIT Award.
Celebrate the Geordie double act with our Ant & Dec Men's Hoodie, a tribute design for fans.
Saturday Mornings and the Breakthrough
From 1998 to 2001 the pair presented ITV's SMTV Live and CD:UK, winning a huge following with their sketches and quick-fire chemistry. They moved into prime time with Pop Idol in 2001, and in 2002 launched both Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway and I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.
In 2013 a re-release of "Let's Get Ready to Rhumble", promoted on Takeaway, went all the way to number one on the UK chart, two decades after it first came out.
Keep it light-hearted in our Ant & Dec Men's T-Shirt.
Kings of Light Entertainment
Since 2007 they have hosted Britain's Got Talent, and the jungle has become an annual November tradition. Saturday Night Takeaway won a string of BAFTAs before the duo brought it to a close in 2024. They have also fronted Ant & Dec's DNA Journey and the quiz Limitless Win.
At the National Television Awards they won Best Presenter 23 years in a row, a Guinness World Record, before their run ended in 2025.
Honours
National Television Awards
- 23 consecutive Best Presenter awards (Guinness World Record)
BAFTAs
- Two BAFTAs for The Ant & Dec Show (1996)
- BAFTA wins for I'm a Celebrity and Saturday Night Takeaway
Royal Honours
- OBE, announced in 2016 and presented in 2017
Music
- UK number one with "Let's Get Ready to Rhumble" (2013 re-release)
Away From the Spotlight
The pair are well-known Newcastle United supporters and joined the celebrations after the club's 2025 EFL Cup win. They run their own production company, Mitre Television, and were announced as executive producers of a Byker Grove reboot.
FAQs
How old are Ant and Dec?
Ant McPartlin was born on 18 November 1975 and is 50. Declan Donnelly was born on 25 September 1975 and is 51.
Where are Ant and Dec from?
Both were born in Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England.
How did Ant and Dec meet?
They met as young actors on the BBC children's drama Byker Grove, where they played PJ and Duncan.
What are Ant and Dec's real names?
Ant is Anthony McPartlin and Dec is Declan Donnelly.
How many NTAs have Ant and Dec won?
They won the National Television Award for Best Presenter 23 years in a row, a Guinness World Record.
Is Saturday Night Takeaway coming back?
The duo stepped back from Saturday Night Takeaway after the 2024 series and no return has been confirmed.
Shop the Ant & Dec Collection
Show some love for the nation's favourite double act with our fan designs, made to order in the UK.
Ant & Dec Men's Hoodie
£39.99
Ant & Dec Men's T-Shirt
£29.99
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Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: The Traitors: Series, Winners and BAFTAs and David Attenborough Career Story.
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