Ant and Dec to celebrate 30th anniversary with special show
They are fast approaching their 30th year in showbiz
Author: Alex RossPublished 1st May 2018 Last updated 1st May 2018
Geordie duo Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly will soon be approaching their 30th year working together in showbiz, and it looks like they are will mark the impressive milestone with a one-off show.
The news was let slip by singer and TV personality Peter Andre after he revealed to fans in his magazine column that he'd already filmed a segment for the show. Writing in his New! column, Peter revealed, 'Last week I filmed a TV segment for Ant and Dec’s 30th anniversary, which was good fun! I’m unsure when it will air, but it was great to take a trip down memory lane and remember the great things I’ve been involved in with the boys over the years.'
He then added, 'Everything from living above them 22 years ago when they were PJ and Duncan to appearing in various shows with them.'
Despite Peter's comments, not much else is known about the apparent show, with ITV yet to confirm anything.
Check out Ant and Dec's career timeline:
And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec as PJ and Duncan
In 1989 Dec landed a part on BBC children's drama Byker Grove, playing Duncan. A year later Ant was cast as PJ – PJ and Duncan was born.
Another career change for the boys came in 1994, when they began as co-presenters of children's show Gimme 5 on CITV. Just a year later they landed their own programme, The Ant & Dec Show, this time on CBBC.
Ant and Dec to celebrate 30th anniversary with special show
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Ant & Dec: Relationships
In 2015 Dec married his longtime manager Ali Astall and Ant was, of course, best man. And in July 2006, Dec acted as best man at Ant's wedding to make-up artist Lisa Armstrong.
Ant and Lisa, however, filed for divorce this month after 11 years of marriage.
And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec as PJ and Duncan
In 1989 Dec landed a part on BBC children's drama Byker Grove, playing Duncan. A year later Ant was cast as PJ – PJ and Duncan was born.
Another career change for the boys came in 1994, when they began as co-presenters of children's show Gimme 5 on CITV. Just a year later they landed their own programme, The Ant & Dec Show, this time on CBBC.
And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec became popstars
It wasn't just acting for the boys: PJ & Duncan were pop stars for a while, and became best known for their 1994 UK top 10 Let's Get Ready to Rhumble.
Their last studio album, The Cult of Ant and Dec, was released in 1997, managing to chart at number 15.
And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec hosted SMTV and CD:UK with Cat Deeley
This kicked off their kids' TV careers, and landed them their first BAFTA Awards.
After various other presenting gigs, Ant & Dec started hosting ITV's Saturday morning shows SMTV and CD:UK, alongside Cat Deeley, in 1998.
But, in 2001, they made the move from Saturday morning to prime time – for a little show called Pop Idol…
Ant & Dec: Primetime career
They hit the prime time with talent show Pop Idol
They presented Pop Idol for two years, before it replaced with The X Factor and Kate Thornton took over.
This gave them the opportunity to create and present Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, which is about begin its 13th series.
In 2002, a year after Saturday Night Takeaway's debut, the boys joined I'm a Celebrity and have become huge parts of the show.
Ant & Dec: Britain's Got Talent
Establishing themselves as the busiest presenters in the country, Ant & Dec signed up for Britain's Got Talent in 2006 – and a year later signed a two-year golden handcuffs deal with ITV, which was thought to be worth £40 million.
They have been hosting the show ever since, and are currently filming for the twelfth series of the show.
Ant & Dec: Awards
Among their numerous gongs, Ant & Dec have received the National Television Award for Most Popular Entertainment/TV Presenter for 15 years running. Most recently, at the 2018 NTAs, the duo won Best Presenter.
Ant & Dec: Friendship
Ant previously revealed his friendship with Dec started in 1990, when he sent him a Christmas card and invited him to a football match.
He said: "And that was that. It just happened immediately. We clicked. We'd spend all day making each other laugh and annoying everyone and quoting Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer lines to each other."
When their parts were written out of Byker Grove, the boys vowed to stick together. 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."
Even though they work together, Ant & Dec make sure they go out together at least once a week – and even live three doors apart in London!
Dec said: "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."
Ant added: "We love each other, definitely."
Ant & Dec: Relationships
In 2015 Dec married his longtime manager Ali Astall and Ant was, of course, best man. And in July 2006, Dec acted as best man at Ant's wedding to make-up artist Lisa Armstrong.
Ant and Lisa, however, filed for divorce this month after 11 years of marriage.
And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec as PJ and Duncan
In 1989 Dec landed a part on BBC children's drama Byker Grove, playing Duncan. A year later Ant was cast as PJ – PJ and Duncan was born.
Another career change for the boys came in 1994, when they began as co-presenters of children's show Gimme 5 on CITV. Just a year later they landed their own programme, The Ant & Dec Show, this time on CBBC.
And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec became popstars
It wasn't just acting for the boys: PJ & Duncan were pop stars for a while, and became best known for their 1994 UK top 10 Let's Get Ready to Rhumble.
Their last studio album, The Cult of Ant and Dec, was released in 1997, managing to chart at number 15.
And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec hosted SMTV and CD:UK with Cat Deeley
This kicked off their kids' TV careers, and landed them their first BAFTA Awards.
After various other presenting gigs, Ant & Dec started hosting ITV's Saturday morning shows SMTV and CD:UK, alongside Cat Deeley, in 1998.
But, in 2001, they made the move from Saturday morning to prime time – for a little show called Pop Idol…
Ant & Dec: Primetime career
They hit the prime time with talent show Pop Idol
They presented Pop Idol for two years, before it replaced with The X Factor and Kate Thornton took over.
This gave them the opportunity to create and present Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, which is about begin its 13th series.
In 2002, a year after Saturday Night Takeaway's debut, the boys joined I'm a Celebrity and have become huge parts of the show.
Ant & Dec: Britain's Got Talent
Establishing themselves as the busiest presenters in the country, Ant & Dec signed up for Britain's Got Talent in 2006 – and a year later signed a two-year golden handcuffs deal with ITV, which was thought to be worth £40 million.
They have been hosting the show ever since, and are currently filming for the twelfth series of the show.
Ant & Dec: Awards
Among their numerous gongs, Ant & Dec have received the National Television Award for Most Popular Entertainment/TV Presenter for 15 years running. Most recently, at the 2018 NTAs, the duo won Best Presenter.
Ant & Dec: Friendship
Ant previously revealed his friendship with Dec started in 1990, when he sent him a Christmas card and invited him to a football match.
He said: "And that was that. It just happened immediately. We clicked. We'd spend all day making each other laugh and annoying everyone and quoting Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer lines to each other."
When their parts were written out of Byker Grove, the boys vowed to stick together. 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."
Even though they work together, Ant & Dec make sure they go out together at least once a week – and even live three doors apart in London!
Dec said: "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."
Ant added: "We love each other, definitely."
Ant & Dec: Relationships
In 2015 Dec married his longtime manager Ali Astall and Ant was, of course, best man. And in July 2006, Dec acted as best man at Ant's wedding to make-up artist Lisa Armstrong.
Ant and Lisa, however, filed for divorce this month after 11 years of marriage.
Despite having left rehab now, Ant is continuing to recover from his alcohol addictions and has stepped down from all TV duties.
With fans wondering what would happen with the show, ITV released a statement reading, "Dec will be hosting the live shows, which for the first time ever are coming from the Hammersmith Apollo, while Ant steps down from his TV commitments for now. We send Ant all our love. And we know that Dec will do a brilliant job."
