In a surprising celebrity crossover, beloved television presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have disclosed a remarkable direct message request they received from supermodel Cara Delevingne. The incident, which left the duo initially sceptical, involved Delevingne asking for a personalised birthday greeting for Hollywood actress Margot Robbie, whom she described as a devoted fan of the Geordie pairing.
The Unexpected Instagram Request
Speaking candidly on their newly launched podcast, Hanging Out with Ant and Dec, the presenters recounted the moment the message arrived. Dec explained the direct approach, stating, 'We got a message from Cara Delevingne on Instagram saying, "I'm going to Margot Robbie's birthday, can you record her a message because she loves you guys."' The request came as the 33-year-old model was en route to the Barbie star's 35th birthday celebration, hoping to secure a unique surprise present for the acclaimed actress.
Initial Scepticism and Verification
Ant admitted their first reaction was one of disbelief, confessing, 'We thought it was a wind up to start with.' Dec elaborated on their doubts, highlighting two core uncertainties: 'A. was this really Cara Delevingne, B. is she talking really about Margot Robbie and is she really a fan.' The pair, both 50, were wary of potential pranks given their high profile. However, after taking steps to confirm the authenticity, Dec noted, 'So anyway we confirmed it was the real Cara Delevingne and she assured us it wasn't a joke.'
The recording of the birthday message itself took place in an equally notable setting. Ant revealed, 'We did it at the England game, the Euros Final at Wembley.' This adds a layer of British sporting history to the anecdote, blending entertainment with a major national event.
Missed Connections and Podcast Promotion
The revelation led to some light-hearted regret from the presenting duo. They mentioned that Margot Robbie is currently in the UK promoting her latest project, Wuthering Heights, and joked about a near miss. Dec remarked, 'We were on Graham Norton three weeks too early,' suggesting a potential meeting was narrowly avoided. Ant quipped in response, 'She would have been thrilled by that because she's such a big fan, it would have meant more to her than us if we were on Graham Norton at the same time.'
Seizing the moment to promote their new venture, the pair took to Instagram with a playful post: 'Sorry we missed you Margot! The next episode of Hanging Out With Ant & Dec is out now!' This cleverly ties the celebrity story directly to their podcast's release, generating organic interest.
Context and Further Revelations
This amusing tale follows another recent disclosure from Ant and Dec regarding an 'embarrassing' royal sleepover with King Charles at Dumfries House, which they shared on The Graham Norton Show. In that instance, they recounted accidentally meeting the then-Prince in their dressing gowns and being asked to 'keep the noise down' after a lively evening in their room. These stories collectively paint a picture of the duo's unique and often humorous behind-the-scenes experiences with high-profile figures.
The podcast itself, as Dec explained, serves as a way for the longtime partners to maintain their working relationship amidst busy personal schedules with young families. He said, 'We both have small kids and live further apart so if a podcast is in the diary, it forces us to get out and get together.' However, he admitted their wives, Ali Astall and Anne-Marie Corbett, have expressed concern that the pair might be 'too honest' and give away too much personal information during their recordings.
In the podcast's debut episode, Dec also humorously discussed his short-lived attempt at Dry January, lasting only eight days before succumbing to a glass of wine after a challenging week with his children. Ant, sober for nearly eight years, jokingly commended his effort, saying, 'I'm proud of your eight days.' These personal insights add depth to the podcast's content, blending celebrity anecdotes with relatable life moments.
Hanging Out With Ant & Dec is now available across all major podcast platforms, offering fans a new, intimate format to engage with the iconic television duo.
