Ye shud ownly seen us winnin': Ant and Dec win yet another TV award
The Geordie presenters have just received their 12th consecutive National TV award. What's their secret?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It might be a scene from 2003 mush-fest Love Actually that best sums up much of the public's view of the Geordie presenting duo Ant and Dec. When Bill Nighy's rock star, Billy Mack, is asked a question by one of the pair, both playing themselves, Mack simply replies, "Yes, I have, Ant or Dec."
But having trouble determining which is which has hardly impeded on Ant and Dec's success. (Although word in the business is that when they're being filmed or photographed, it's always Ant on the left and Dec on the right – see for yourself in the pictures, right.) They are the undisputed kings of Saturday night entertainment and have made millions. What's quite remarkable, however, is that this week the public voted them Most Popular Entertainment Presenter at the National Television Awards for a staggering 12th consecutive year. Not bad for a couple of lads from Newcastle who rose to fame in a BBC children's show about a youth club and had a Top 10 hit with a song called "Let's Get Ready to Rhumble". Of course, now the 37-year-olds are a familiar fixture in living rooms every Saturday night, whether they're trying not to laugh at D-listers in I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, or commiserating deluded singers on Britain's Got Talent. So how do you explain their enduring appeal?
"I think it's something to do with the fact that they're obviously best friends in real life," says Boyd Hilton, television and reviews editor at Heat magazine. "And it's unique to see two blokes have an incredible ease with one another. It transfers to TV without seeming in any way fake or contrived; it seems absolutely real that they are like that with each other. They have that incredible chemistry and understanding."
While some have suggested their popularity has arisen from their being spectacularly inoffensive, Hilton insists that's selling them short. "They can be quite sharp and witty; they're definitely not banal. I do think their off-the-cuff comments about stuff are really clever and funny and well-observed."
With a silent-comedy show inspired by Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton in the works, we will soon see the duo return to their acting roots. It might sound like an unusual step but fans shouldn't be concerned. As Hilton points out: "I think they'll probably be around for ever."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments