Where did the Tyne go?
From crazy comedians to mind-readers, Ant and Dec are back for the 14th series of BGT’s search for a star… but how long have the boys been stars themselves? The answer may surprise you…
It’s back and we are loving it! Now more than ever, the nation could do with some ‘old school’ variety entertainment. Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly, both 44, are back behind-thescenes to congratulate or commiserate the hopefuls on Britain’s best talent show. Here, the double act, bestknown as ‘Ant and Dec’, spill the beans on the judges, the acts and admit it’s 30 years in October since they first stepped out on Byker
Grove... ‘If you had told the 14-year-old us that we’d still be working together on some of the biggest TV shows in the world, we’d have laughed you out of BykerGrove,’ said Ant. No longer neighbours, but still ‘best pals’, Dec is now married to Ali Astall and the pair have a one-year-old daughter, Isla. Meanwhile Ant, who has beaten his demons by quitting drink and drugs, is happy with his girlfriend Anne-Marie Corbett and three dogs. Where did the Tyne go…?
When you woke up on the audition days, what was the first thing that went through your mind?
Ant: What time would Simon Cowell get there! As far as the acts go, it’s quite exciting, really. We have no idea who’s going to walk around the corner, what they are going to do, good, bad or indifferent.
Dec: Auditions are always fun, and I do think: ‘is today going to be the day that we see the winner and unearth a brand-new star?’ Everyone who has won the show has gone on to stardom and success of varying degrees. So, we always get excited.
What sort of acts will we see the most of this year – singers? Comedians? Magicians? Ant:
I’ll tell you what we’ve had this year more than the past few series is people just giving it a go. What I mean is, we ask them who’s seen their act and they tell us no one! They have just decided to turn up.
Dec: I agree. They said, ‘So I thought I’d come to Britain’s Got Talent’, we’re like, ‘That’s quite a jump, you know?’
The judges seem on good form, though David hasn’t been quite as naughty so far in this series…
Ant: There’s still time for that! He’s still outrageous.
Dec: He’s still being quite mischievous. Simon got David up on stage, so they could both have knives thrown at them... Simon’s got a real fascination with danger acts. It’s not the first time he’s got up on the stage.
Ant: Maybe because he’s lost a lot of weight there’s less chance of him getting hit! There’s less of Simon to hit!
Can you remember a time when nerves have almost got the better of you two? Ant:
We were nervous before we hosted the Brits. It’s quite daunting because you’re playing to the room and the audience at home, but I think we’re quite lucky because we’ve got each other.
Dec: I always remember someone saying to me, ‘It’s a perfectly natural reaction to be nervous, but don’t let it overtake you’. You just have to go, ‘OK, I feel the nerves... What’s the worst that can happen?’
What are your plans for this decade – as much success as the last one? Ant: Yes. Can we just carry on the same, please?! Dec: I’d settle for more of the same! Do you think the show might get to its 20th series?
Dec: Yeah, it could do. I’m A Celebrity… is just about to do it, it’ll be 20 this November, which is incredible. So, if I’m A Celebrity… can do it then there’s no reason why Britain’s Got Talent can’t.
Ant: It would be one hell of an achievement.
l Britain’s Got Talent continues on Saturdays at 8pm on ITV.