Ant and Dec on staying happily married, having babies and ‘working-class guilt’
BEING in the company of Ant and Dec is like stepping straight on to the set of a Saturday night show.
What you see on TV is exactly what you get in the flesh, and behind the scenes of their third Fabulous shoot, telly’s golden couple are in full swing.
Declan Donnelly, 41, is a ball of energy from the moment he arrives.
He mingles with the crew, insists on making his own cup of tea and swaps cheeky showbiz anecdotes.
Flipping open his sharp designer suit jacket, he points to a label inside and explains: “Our tailor puts them in there for a bit of fun so we can distinguish between the black suits, because we have so many.”
Today Dec has the Harry Potter Gryffindor crest, while Anthony McPartlin, 41, has a cheeky picture of a raised middle finger.
“One suit has a ‘rock with your c**k out’ label,” Ant laughs.
“It flapped open just as I walked to go on Saturday Night Takeaway. I couldn’t wear that!”
The pair look at each other and collapse into hysterics. And we quickly learn this is to become the theme of the day.
Not only are Ant and Dec two of the most fun cover stars we’ve ever interviewed, but they’re also extremely down to earth.
This is despite their many accolades: 16 National Television Awards wins, an OBE each, 27 years in the biz and three top TV shows in the last year (Britain’s Got Talent, I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! and Saturday Night Takeaway).
And there’s also their estimated net worth of £62million each and a new £30million three-year contract signed with ITV last year.
The boys have come a long way from the Newcastle council estates where they grew up, but there are no diva demands or tantrums when they step out into the freezing cold to get wet under our makeshift rain shower.
They fill waiting-around time gossiping about SM:TV Live (there are plans in the pipeline for a 20th-anniversary celebration next year), and joking with Dec’s wife (and the pair’s manager) Ali Astall, 38, about a caravan holiday.
But do they really still enjoy spending time together outside work? What’s next career-wise? And is fatherhood on the cards? TV’s best-loved duo don’t hold back…
What keeps you striving for more when you’ve achieved so much already?
Ant We just love it. The older you get [the more you think]: “I want to leave a good body of work behind,” and the more thankful you are of the position you’re in. We want stuff we can be proud of and we feel that more now than ever. A lot of hard work has got us here, but we’re very lucky. Some presenters can go their whole careers without even having one of the shows that we’ve got. It’s better than working for a living, let’s be honest!
Dec We have such fun doing it and that’s what keeps us going. And we can’t do anything else! I get to go to work with my best mate and have a laugh.
Is there an end goal?
A There are a few things we’ve discussed recently that we’d love to do, like some more acting. [Last year] we signed a new deal with ITV so we’ve talked about certain things. It will be slow, but eventually I think you’ll see us [acting] on the small screen or theatre.
D We’ve talked about a sitcom and a comedy drama. It’s getting the right project and working with the right people. I think it will all come together, but I’m not sure when that’s going to be.
When you’re out in public, do people feel like they know you?
A There have been times when people have come and sat down at dinner. We’ll be at the pub and they’ll drag over a chair and be like: ‘I’m alright to sit here aren’t I?’ [Laughs]
How much time do you spend together?
D Quite a bit! Even when we have days off we’re like: “Fancy a game of golf?” Or we’ll go down the pub and watch Newcastle play.
A The first weekend back [after I’m A Celeb!] was The X Factor final. We could have easily split up because we’d been together for a month, but Dec came round mine and I made a Sunday roast. Then us two and the wife sat together and watched the final. Some people might find that odd, but we’ve always done it.
D We have dogs who are best pals. Ant has got a big brown Labrador [called Hurley] and I’ve got a miniature dachshund [Rocky].
A The little one bosses the big one around, so it’s a bit like their owners!
D There’s only three houses between us, and the dogs bark over the fences to each other.
How have you stayed grounded?
A We left Byker Grove, had a short recording career and suddenly it finished. The invites to premieres dried up and overnight things stopped. We realised very quickly how fickle this business is. Thinking you’ve lost it all makes you appreciate it a lot more and it sticks with you.
D We got sacked for the first time when we were just 18 and you realise that this whole industry is transient and changeable.
How do you deal with your rare down times, like when your gameshow Red or Black? flopped back in 2012?
D Nobody ever sets out to make a flop, but it’s going to happen. You have to pick yourself up, dust yourself down and say: “Right, we go again.” Not everything turns to gold when you touch it.
A When we have had stuff that hasn’t worked in the past, we’ve got tempers [so] would get annoyed. We were p**sed off for a while, because you care that much.
Is it true you’ve taken out an insurance policy against each other in case one of you dies?
D I insure him and he insures me. If something were to happen, then the other one would get a payout.
A It’s six figures I think. It’s big! But it’s not like anything evil is going to happen. I think I would be the first suspect if we were together and Dec suddenly fell off a cliff! I’ve got a big motive.
D I’ve got my miniature sausage dog to protect me. I think [the policy is] up soon.
A I think it is, aye. We have to figure out whether it’s worth it! We should check the premium first.
There was outrage when you presented separate links on I’m A Celeb! last year, but would you ever consider solo work?
A Not now, Christ! We’ve been warned off doing it now. Honestly, we didn’t realise it would be such a big deal.
D We got on our Twitter feeds afterwards and were like: “OMG, Britain has gone into meltdown!” Whenever we think of ideas, we think about how we would do it together. But I don’t know… Ant’s always wanted to be a butcher.
A It’s true – I’ve been on a couple of courses. But I’m certainly not going to stop this to become a butcher.
D You become a butcher and I’ll take care of the TV shows!
A Put me down as a butcher on Corrie in five to 10 years and I’ll be happy!
Ant, your wife Lisa Armstrong, 40, is the make-up artist on Strictly – has she tried to get you to sign up?
A No chance whatsoever! Dec would be better than me. I would go into the Jungle if I wasn’t hosting it or I’d like to do MasterChef. But Strictly? God, no! I have enough of that at home with bloody sequins and glitter. Whenever [it’s Strictly season] my house is like one big camp make-up room!
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You signed a new ITV deal reportedly worth £30million. How do you react to those sums of money?
A There’s this working-class guilt – you don’t want to be flashy. Then you get to an age, like your late-30s, where you want to enjoy it. So we both bought sports cars – I bought an Aston Martin and Dec bought a Ferrari. We raced around with them until we realised we’re not that bothered. We like cars, but it’s not the be all and end all, so we ended up selling them. Now I’ve got a Mini and he’s got a Fiat 500!
D There’s all the speculation of how much it’s worth [but] the financial side of things takes care of itself through our management. It goes into our bank and when I need some money, I go to the cashpoint. It doesn’t change how we approach work.
A We have great holidays, nice houses and look after our friends and families. It’s brilliant, but it’s all just a second thought.
Dec, your wedding to Ali was in 2014. Are you finding married life any different?
D It’s better.
A You have got to say that, she’s over there!
Ali [Shouts over] Be nice!
D I was a bit nervous before I got married and Ant said to me: “Honestly, it just gets better.” It’s amazing and the best thing I ever did.
With Ali also being your manager, has the dynamic now changed?
D We probably talk about work less. If Ali’s in the office and there are things to go through she’ll call me at 5.50pm and say: “Right, I’ll go through these work bits with you.” When she comes home we cook dinner and talk about our day. You don’t want it to take over your whole life. Because we worked together for years, it was very natural.
What’s the secret to having a successful marriage in the industry – you must need an understanding wife?
A Aye, I think that’s why I’m lucky. Lisa works in the industry and understands it. She’s constantly working – sometimes more than me! She’s all over the place and I get it because she’s lived through that with me. We’re both quite chilled. We love being together, but are good on our own.
D It’s making the most of times when you are together. Having holidays and going away for the weekend.
Are you romantic?
A Yes!
D That was very confident!
A I think if you asked my wife she’d say I was. I whisked her off to Paris for her 40th last year. I said we had to be up at 7am, as we were going for lunch. What I didn’t tell her was we were flying to Paris. I spoke to Jamie Oliver and was like: “Can you sort us out a restaurant?” He knew this perfect place. Then Dec and Ali came, too! We had a great time and flew back that night. Is that romantic enough for you?
D I helped Ant! I served breakfast on the plane.
Ant, how do you keep the excitement alive after 10 years of marriage?
A There are periods where you take each other for granted and you’ve got to be aware of that and stop yourself when it does happen. We’re very good at talking and are very open with each other. Everyone says: “Make sure you talk to each other,” but it’s the best bit of advice.
You’ve spoken about your struggles to have kids. Is it still something you’re aiming for?
A We would love to have a family so fingers crossed. If we’re blessed with children, then we’d be over the moon.
Dec, are you keen to have children?
D Absolutely at some point, when the time is right. Hopefully – like Ant says – if it comes along, then it would be great. We’ll have to put some time in the diary. [Laughs] Things are pretty busy!
Will you make a third attempt to crack America?
A It would take something big in order for us to give it another go. It was never our burning ambition – even though it was written like it was – and we’re so busy here. It would almost be a bit greedy. I like going there for a holiday and not getting recognised.
D It’s not one of the ambitions that we have.
Is retirement a dirty word for you?
D We’ve never talked or really thought about it. We don’t look that far ahead.
A You never really retire in this game – it retires you! That’s the problem.
Congratulations on your OBEs! Have you changed your titles on your bankcards?
A They changed them automatically and sent new cards, which was quite exciting. The first time we saw it written down was at Royal Ascot – they’d written it on our programme. It was really bizarre and overwhelming.
D It still hasn’t sunk in.
Where will you put your medal?
D I’m going to wear it!
A All the time.
D We’ll definitely wear it around Simon [Cowell]. In the morning, I’ll now think: “Got my wallet, phone, keys, where’s my OBE?” Put that on, right, I’m ready to go!
Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway returns to ITV next Saturday evening.