Ant & Dec's DNA Journey leaves viewers incredibly emotional
Fans were loving the two-parter
Last updated 12th Nov 2019
In October 2019, it was confirmed that lovable presenters Ant and Dec would be getting their own two-part ancestry show on ITV, showing the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! presenters discover where both of their families have come from.
A few weeks later, ITV released the first trailer for the hugely anticipated show, showing Dec Donnelly getting a little emotional whilst talking about his relationship with Ant McPartlin following his addiction struggles over the past couple of years.
After the show aired in November 2019, fans were left in tears by the pair's bond, and Dec admitted that he'd been left "hurt" by Ant's decision not to confide in him with his problems, but that they'd been brought closer together by doing the show.
Watch the trailer for Ant & Dec's DNA Journey below:
The ITV special, entitled Ant & Dec's DNA Journey, saw the Geordie boys explore their heritage - with both discovering incredible news about their lineage; Dec having a DNA cousin who's a former US female wrestling promoter, and Ant has a great-grandfather who was a war hero.
But none of this was as amazing as the news that Ant and Dec are actually distantly related to each other! In the final scene of the show, Dec was handed an envelope by one of his American DNA cousins, and when he opened it with Ant, it told them they shared a DNA marker. Wow!
Of being on the show, Ant said, "I’m a bit of a geek when it comes to historical events, so to get the chance to research our family history using our DNA was too good an opportunity to pass up. What we find out is mind-blowing and nothing either of us could ever have imagined. It’s something that will stay with us both forever."
Dec added, "A huge part of this was to find out my heritage, especially on my dad’s side. I always thought I knew a fair bit about where I came from but it turns out I was wrong! Whilst it was incredible to find out about the past, what was hugely overwhelming was to meet relatives neither of us knew we had. It was a truly amazing experience."
Now scroll through to discover all the facts you never knew about Ant & Dec...
1. Ant and Dec become friends through football
Believe it or not the pair didn't get along at first but it was their joint love for football and in particular their local team Newcastle United that bonded the pair together.
According to reports, Ant invited Dec along to Newcastle's Boxing Day match in 1990 and the rest is history.
2. They were neighbours for a number of years
Not only do they work together but Ant and Dec used to live just three doors away from each other in West London! However, after Ant's split from his ex-wife Lisa Armstrong, Ant bought a new £5 million home in South West London.
Despite this, Ant and Dec have holiday homes next door to each other in sunny Portugal.
3. They bet who would be the first to get married
When they were just 15, Ant and Dec bet £50 who would be the first to get married. Ant was forced to pay Dec the money when he tied the knot in 2006 to Lisa Armstrong.
Dec married Ali Astall in August 2015.
After his divorce from Lisa, Ant re-married in August 2021 when he tied the knot with his girlfriend Anne-Marie Corbett.
4. They have life insurance against each other
In the awful event that one of them dies, the other will receive a pay out as they both have life insurance against each other.
5. Ant and Dec bought the rights to Byker Grove
It was the show which kick-started their careers but Ant and Dec reportedly bought the rights to Byker Grove when the production company went bust. In 2023, the boys confirmed they are rebooting Byker Grove, acting as producers.
6. Ant and Dec have been sued before
The boys were sued by an American comedian (who also had the name Ant) for using his name during their time in America. Unsurprisingly the allegations of fraud were dismissed!
7. A huge amount of people mix Ant and Dec up
After a poll found that 70% of viewers were unable to tell the boys apart, Dec admitted standing in the same positions is a useful way to help out the public.
The pair now position themselves so that Ant is on the viewer's left, and Dec on the right.
8. Ant and Dec are music stars
Before they became the kings of presenting, Ant and Dec (AKA PJ and Duncan) enjoyed an extensive music career. The pair released sixteen singles and three album including their biggest hit to date 'Let's Get Ready To Rhumble'.
9. Ant and Dec hold a Guinness World Record
In 2019 the boys were rewarded with a Guinness World Record for the most National Television Awards for Best Presenter won consecutively.
In September 2024, Ant and Dec won Best Presenter at the NTAs for the 23rd consecutive year! It was never in doubt!
10. Ant and Dec both have an OBE
In 2017, both Ant and Dec received an OBE from Prince Charles for their services to broadcasting and entertainment. The boys collected their accolades at Buckingham Palace.
11. Ant and Dec have hosted The BRIT Awards
Ant and Dec first hosted The BRIT Awards way back in 2001, before making a return to the stage in both 2015 and 2016.
12. Ant and Dec are worth millions
Due to their phenomenal careers, it's reported that Ant and Dec's current net worth is estimated to be around £62 million each.
Lend us a tenner lads!
13. Ant and Dec both have phobias
Believe it or not, despite Ant and Dec hosting I'm A Celebrity in the Australian Jungle, both of them have phobias! Ant is scared of spiders and Dec is terrified of birds!
14. Ant and Dec have their name trademarked
Since 2003, the name 'Ant and Dec' has been trademarked in the UK in the category of 'Entertainment services'.
15. Ant and Dec are RELATED!
When taking part in their 2019 documentary Ant and Dec's DNA Journey, the boys discovered the are actually distant cousins!
The popular pair found out they share a S660 DNA marker, meaning they are related in an incredibly distant way.
16. Ant and Dec are REBOOTING Byker Grove
In July 2023, Ant and Dec (or should we say PJ and Duncan) announced they were rebooting series Byker Grove, which originally aired between 1989-2006! The pair confirmed they would be Executive Producers on the show.
17. Ant and Dec are both proud dads
Dec is a proud dad to his two children, daughter Isla Elizabeth Anne Donnelly and son Jack Anthony Alphonsus. Meanwhile, in May 2024, Ant become a father for the first time when his wife Anne-Marie gave birth to a baby boy called Wilder Patrick McPartlin.
You can watch Ant & Dec's DNA Journey on ITV Player.
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