Ant and Dec: who are the presenting duo from Newcastle and are they brothers?

Ant and Dec have appeared on our TV screens since the 90s and have cemented their place among some of Britain’s most iconic double acts.

The Geordie pair have returned to present Britain’s Got Talent and will soon host the new I’m A Celebrity: All Stars series in South Africa.

But who are the presenting duo? Here’s everything you need to know.

Who are Ant and Dec?

Ant and Dec are a television presenting duo consisting of Anthony McPartlin (born 18 November 1975) and Declan Donnelly (born 25 September 1975)

The pair hail from Newcastle upon Tyne and met as child actors before joining forces to become one of the most influential duos in Britain.

They have had major presenting roles on Television shows such as Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, and Britain’s Got Talent.

Other previous hosting roles include SMTV Live, CD:UK, Friends Like These, Pop Idol, PokerFace, Push the Button, Red or Black?, and Text Santa, as well as the Brit Awards in 2001, 2015 and 2016.

Are they brothers?

The Geordie duo are not brothers, although they are rarely seen apart.

However, it turns out that they are in fact related due to a bloodline link that goes back hundreds of years.

In 2019, they traced their roots in the TV show Ant and Dec’s DNA journey and discovered they have the same DNA marker, which means they are distant cousins.

How much are Ant and Dec worth?

The net worth of the popular presenters is reported to be £62 million each.

They reportedly signed a whopping £40 million three-year deal with ITV earlier this year to continue presenting Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, Britain’s Got Talent, and I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

Speaking about the deal, Ant said: "We’re so lucky to host the best entertainment shows in the world.

"We absolutely love our shows, and we are both extremely happy and very excited to extend our relationship with ITV for another three years."

A portion of their money is said to come from their own production company Mitre Holdings and Hurley Products - named after the pub in Byker Grove and Ant’s dog.

The pair also reportedly have property portfolios of around £10 million.

When did they appear in Byker Grove?

Ant and Dec met while working on the BBC children’s drama Byker Grove in 1989.

Byker Grove told the story of young people who frequent the Byker Grove Youth Centre in Newcastle and often explored controversial subjects such as drug addiction, child abuse, and homelessness.

Dec was the first of the two to land his place on the BBC children’s drama, and Ant was cast a year later. From then onwards, they struck up a friendship thanks to the close relations of their characters, PJ and Duncan.

Speaking about their bond on the show, Dec told Weekend Magazine: "We made a pact. We said to each other, ‘Look, whatever happens, I’ll always be there for you, and you’re never in this life on your own or against the world – you’ve always got a mate looking out for you."

He added: "It’s our choice to socialise outside work. And we both get to go to work with our best mate every day. And that keeps our feet on the ground."

Is Ant McPartlin married, and does he have children?

Ant was previously married to make-up artist Lisa Armstrong for 11-years, before announcing they were divorcing in January 2018.

However, Ant managed to find love again with his former personal assistant Anne-Marie Corbett.

The pair reportedly got together in 2018 after they were spotted out together, and they announced their engagement on Christmas Eve in December 2020. They tied the knot on 7 August 2021 at St Michael’s Church in Heckfield, Hampshire.

Ant does not currently have any children, but his partner has two children from her previous marriage.

Is Declan Donnelly married, and does he have children?

Dec is married to talent manager Ali Astall, who was his manager for over a decade before they got together.

The couple started dating in 2013 and got engaged a year later, with their wedding taking place at St Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, Elswick, Tyne and Wear, on 1 August 2015.

Dec and his Australian wife welcomed their first child, a daughter named Isla, back in September 2018. They are also parents to Jack Anthony Alphonsus, who arrived in July 2022.