Beloved British television presenters Ant and Dec have unveiled two major new projects, marking a significant expansion of their entertainment brand beyond traditional TV.
First Podcast Venture for the Duo
The pair's inaugural podcast series, titled 'Hanging Out With Ant and Dec', will launch on 22 January. The biweekly show promises a relaxed format where the long-time friends will catch up, reminisce, and share anecdotes from their decades in the spotlight.
Listeners will also have the opportunity to submit questions, seeking advice from the duo or asking them to relive iconic TV moments. An additional bonus episode will be released every Monday, offering fans even more content.
Dec, whose full name is Declan Donnelly, explained the podcast's simple premise. "We asked our audience what they would like a podcast from us to be about," he said. "They told us they just wanted us to hang out. So that's what we're doing. Ant and I don't get to hang out as much as we used to, so it's perfect for us."
Launch of the Belta Box Digital Channel
In a parallel move, the presenters are also launching a dedicated digital channel named Belta Box. This platform will host a mix of brand-new entertainment content and carefully curated clips.
Fans can expect to see some of Ant and Dec's best bits from across their career, including nostalgic material from the Newcastle-based children's drama Byker Grove. It was this very show that launched their careers, where they played characters PJ and Duncan before later forming a pop duo under the same names.
Ant, Anthony McPartlin, expressed his enthusiasm for the new venture. "We've spent our whole careers celebrating great entertainment, so launching Belta Box feels like the natural next step," he stated. "Alongside our new podcast, we're excited to create a space packed with fun, feelgood content that brings people together – no matter where they're watching or listening."
A Career Built on Entertainment
The duo, both 50, are among the UK's most recognisable TV hosts. They are the faces of hit shows including I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, and Britain's Got Talent, as well as the gameshow Ant and Dec's Limitless Win.
Their journey from child actors on Byker Grove to national treasures is a well-documented part of their appeal. Their pop career even saw them achieve a UK number one single in 2013 with the re-release of their 1994 track Let's Get Ready to Rhumble.
These new projects represent a strategic move into the digital and audio space, allowing Ant and Dec to connect with their audience directly and on-demand, while celebrating the extensive archive of entertainment they have created over more than three decades.
