Ant & Dec: We talked of splitting for good
TV’s favourite hosts reveal break during Ant’s dramatic year
ANT and Dec have admitted their strained relationship was on “autopilot” and they split up as TV’s best-loved presenting duo during Ant’s rehab and marriage woes.
The Geordie stars, both 44, are celebrating 30 years together in which they have gone from Byker Grove to fronting I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!
In a new book, they admit for the first time they took “a break” a couple of years ago and considered walking away.
Ant was convicted of drink-driving in April 2018 after splitting from his wife Lisa Armstrong and went to rehab, having to cancel a number of TV jobs.
Dec recalls starting making ITV show Ant and Dec’s DNA Journey, which traced their ancestry and aired last year.
He writes: “Our relationship wasn’t where it should have been. We were on autopilot, working too hard and taking each other for granted, but Ant’s break forced us both to evaluate everything. y g
“There was a real chance we were never going to work together again. Not knowing if Ant and Dec would continue was scary.”
The pair went away and spoke to their friends and families, and eventually both decided separately that they did want to keep working together.
Dec says: “A break helped us realise how much we love what we do, and ultimately how much we love each other.”
Ant adds that there were times in which he wasn’t sure he’d ever work
DIVORCE Ant and wife Lisa at bash in early 2017 again, let alone with Dec, and if it might be the end for the Ant and Dec duo.
He says: “That sounds crazy now, but at the time it weighed heavily on my mind, because, at first, my prime focus had to be on getting myself well.”
The revelations come in a brutally honest chapter of their new book Once Upon A Tyne.
The pair have bounced back since Ant’s troubles and picked up their 19th NTA Best Presenter award in a row in January.
Ant says: “But I’ll tell you what, we don’t think ‘ we’ve done it’. I don’t think we’ll ever feel like we’ve made it – and that’s a lot of what drives us.”
The two best friends claim to be as motivated now as ever, although now they are thinking about legacy – what they leave behind for people to watch.
Ant credits the DNA show with inspiring him to contact dad Ray in 2017 after about 10 years apart.
He writes: “When a parent leaves and you have a distant relationship, when you do see them, you can struggle to find common ground, but now I had a whole family history to tell him about.
“Me and my dad’s relationship has gone from strength to strength.”
Dec speaks about how he was “transformed” after Isla, his daughter with wife Ali, was born in September 2018.
He said: “I felt a love that I didn’t realise it was possible to feel. Everything I do, every day, is for my daughter now.”
Once Upon A Tyne – Our Story Celebrating 30 Years Together on Telly is out today, published by Sphere.
A break helped us realise how much we love what we do... and each other
DECLAN DONNELLY RECALLS PAIR’S BREAK IN A NEW BOOK