How Long Have Ant And Dec Been Friends

Right, sit down, grab a brew, and let me tell you about the most enduring love story in British telly. Not Ross and Rachel, not Richard and Judy. I’m talking about Ant and Dec. The Geordie duo. The cheeky chappies. The national treasure twins. How long have these absolute legends been friends? Buckle up, because the answer is insane.

The jaw-dropping number: 34 years (and counting)

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have been best mates for over three decades. That’s longer than some of you have been alive. They met when they were just thirteen-year-old schoolboys, messing about in Byker Grove, the iconic children’s drama. That was in 1990. Think about that: while you were worrying about your Tamagotchi dying, these two were already plotting world domination.

To put that in perspective, they’ve been friends longer than the Spice Girls were a band, longer than the entire Harry Potter film franchise, and even longer than the time between Friends episodes where Ross was “on a break.” It’s prehistoric in showbiz terms.

From acting rivals to inseparable mates

Here’s the funny bit: they weren’t actually best friends when they first met. In fact, they were rivals. Ant was the cool, confident one (apparently), and Dec was the quieter, short one (he’s still short, let’s be honest). They both auditioned for the same part in Byker Grove, and both got it—as PJ and Duncan. They literally started their friendship by being jealous of each other’s sideburns.

But then came the legendary moment: their characters got electrocuted by a hair dryer in a bathtub on telly. That was supposed to be the end of them. Instead, it launched the most unlikely double act since Laurel and Hardy. They realised, “Hey, we’re both short and funny, let’s never leave each other’s side.” And they didn’t.

Surprising fact #1: They’re not actually related

I know, I know, it feels like they should be brothers. The way they finish each other’s sentences, the way they laugh at the same stupid jokes, the way Dec gives Ant a look that could stop a freight train. But nope. No blood relation whatsoever. They’ve just been in each other’s pockets for so long that they’ve biologically merged. If you locked them in a cupboard for a week, they’d probably start sharing organs.

How long have Ant and Dec been a duo? Full history of the pair | Metro News

Actually, here’s a real testament to their bond: when Ant went through his very public struggles with addiction a few years ago, Dec stood by him like a human shield. Dec cancelled Saturday Night Takeaway for a year. He didn’t do it for the money. He did it because Ant was his mate. That’s real friendship, not just a camera-friendly handshake.

How they’ve survived the apocalypse (of showbiz)

Most TV duos last about as long as a can of fizzy pop left open in the sun. Think about it: where are the Chuckle Brothers now? (RIP, Barry). Where’s the Smack the Pony gang? Ant and Dec have survived five UK prime ministers, the rise of the internet, the death of Top of the Pops, and the tragedy of Dec’s short-lived 2006 solo album (yes, that happened—don’t Google it, it’s terrible).

They’ve hosted everything: kids’ shows, prime-time game shows, the I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! jungle, and even the Brit Awards. They’ve been on our screens for so long that my grandmother thinks they’re her actual grandsons. “Oh, look, the little ones are back,” she says. They’re 48 years old, Nana.

How long have Ant and Dec been a duo? Full history of the pair | Metro News

Surprising fact #2: They’ve shared a bed (not like that)

Okay, get your mind out of the gutter. Early in their career, when they were broke and touring, they shared a single bed in cheap motels to save money. Ant snores like a tractor, apparently. Dec once said he had to sleep with his head at the foot of the bed just to get any rest. That’s dedication. That’s the kind of intimacy that makes you realise you’ll never argue over who used the last of the milk.

And speaking of milk, they’ve admitted that sometimes they go weeks without seeing each other, but the moment they’re back in the same room, it’s like no time has passed. The secret? Total trust. And a shared love of making a fool of themselves in front of twenty million people.

The future: will they ever split?

Let’s be real. If Ant and Dec split, the UK would go into official mourning. The Queen’s death got a 12-gun salute; an Ant and Dec breakup would get a 24-hour national cry. They’ve said they’ll retire together. Probably in matching deckchairs on a beach, still cracking the same jokes they told as teenagers.

So, how long have Ant and Dec been friends? 34 years. That’s 34 years of laughter, side-eyes, and avoiding the scary parts of the jungle. They’re not just friends. They’re a biological miracle. And as long as there’s a telly left in the UK, you can bet they’ll still be standing there, shouting “Ant and Dec!” and making you smile. Now pass the kettle.