Viewers complain to Ofcom over kiss on Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway

"I thought this was a family show?!"

Author: Alex RossPublished 10th Mar 2020

As well as viewers being in shock at Ant McPartlin smashing a camera during the most recent episode of Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, a number of fans of the show were also left a little taken aback at a certain snog!

If you are a fan of the popular show, you'll be aware that the Geordie duo give away places on a plane to Florida, which is due to take off at the end of the series for a massive finale episode live from Orlando.

And during Saturday night's episode, the boys surprised one couple from Essex called Rob and Annette, who were sat in the studio audience.

As cameras arrived at their home with the couple's children, the family were offered a place on the plane, as long as Rob and Annette done something 'embarrassing' on live TV, which resulted in the pair having a kiss.

After going in for a rather steamy and long snog, Ant told the couple, "Ok, yes, yes, that’s it, thank you. It’s a family show."

However, it seems not all viewers were feeling the love, with many taking to Twitter to express their feelings about the 'unnecessary' moment.

Angry viewers didn't only complain on Twitter either, it's been confirmed that Ofcom received 36 complaints after the episode aired on Saturday 7th March, with many saying they thought it was a 'family show'.

Check out all of these Ant and Dec facts you didn't know:

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.

Of course, this isn't the only complaint the show has received since it returned to our TV screens in February. As well as getting over 60 complaints about The Pussycat Dolls' performance, Anne-Marie issued an apology after taking part in the End of the Show Show.

The singer's performance had a karate theme, as Anne-Marie is a triple world champion and a black belt in the Shotokan style, but viewers were left upset as Ant & Dec's costumes featured the 'Rising Sun' symbol, which was worn by the Japanese army during World War Two.

Anne-Marie later took to Twitter to apologise for the costumes, writing, 'I sincerely apologise to all those who were affected and hurt by my appearance last night on a UK TV. I want you to know that I had nothing to do with the costumes on this sketch.

'Unfortunately, education on this part of the history wasn't done and I am also hurt by the pain this signifies for so many people. I'm truly sorry and I promise you that this will not happen again. Our team is talking to the TV station, working on taking down the footage so that it does not cause any more pain.' (sic)

Despite the complaints, the show is still loved by most viewers and many positives come out of it. The boys have changed the lives of many viewers over the years, and on this series alone, they've built a family a brand new house, gifted thousands of prizes away, and surprised a tonne of people will a place on the plane to Florida.

Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway continues every Saturday on ITV.

For great music and incredible competitions tune into Forth 1 on 97.3, DAB, online, on the Rayo app, or say ‘Play FORTH 1’ to your Smart Speaker. You’ll find new favourites every day and hear the songs you've missed from the last few years. From Boogie In The Morning, to Garry and Steven getting you home after work, we play you the biggest hits from the world's hottest artists.