Ant and Dec Declare They Will Never Host the Brit Awards Again
British television icons Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, collectively known as Ant and Dec, have made a definitive statement about their future with the Brit Awards. The popular presenters, best known for hosting Britain's Got Talent, have revealed that they will never return to host the prestigious music awards ceremony again. This announcement comes after a decade-long hiatus from the role, with their last hosting gig occurring in 2016.
The Reason Behind Their Decision
During a candid discussion on their podcast, Hanging Out with Ant & Dec, the duo opened up about their experiences. Ant McPartlin explained that while they believe in the awards and value their significance for British music, the challenges of hosting are too great. "Everybody in the room just wants to get drunk and have a good time," Ant stated, highlighting the difficulty of managing an inebriated celebrity audience while simultaneously presenting a live television show.
He elaborated that the atmosphere is enjoyable for nominees, as they themselves experienced when nominated twice in the 1990s under their former stage name PJ & Duncan. However, hosting duties involve "wrangling" the crowd and dealing with unpredictable elements, which detracts from the fun.
Additional Hosting Challenges
Ant further detailed logistical issues that contributed to their decision. He mentioned that artists and bands often agree to pre-show interviews but "always change their minds" at the last minute. For instance, he recalled a scenario where Coldplay backed out of an interview just ten minutes before going live, disrupting the planned flow of the show.
This adds to the pressure of hosting an event known for its rock 'n' roll moments, such as Jarvis Cocker's infamous stage invasion in 1996 or Danny Dyer's expletive-laden rant. Despite these hurdles, Ant emphasized that their refusal to host is not a critique of the awards themselves, which they see as beneficial for the music industry.
Historical Context and Future Hosts
Ant and Dec have hosted the Brit Awards three times in total: first in 2001, then again in 2015 and 2016. Their absence over the past ten years has now been officially cemented as permanent. Meanwhile, this year's ceremony is set to be hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall for his sixth time. Whitehall recently shared that one of his sketch ideas, involving a humorous take on Harry Styles, was rejected by Styles' team as inappropriate.
The Brit Awards, celebrating its 49-year history, continues to be a major event in the British entertainment calendar. It will air on ITV on Saturday, 28 February, with Whitehall at the helm, while Ant and Dec focus on other projects, leaving their hosting days firmly in the past.
