Ant and Dec's Sole Major Clash in 37-Year Partnership
Britain's beloved television presenting duo, Ant and Dec, have candidly disclosed the details of their only significant argument throughout their remarkable 37-year partnership. The pair, who first met as child actors on Byker Grove in 1989, have become one of the nation's most iconic double acts, hosting numerous hit shows including Britain's Got Talent. Despite their seamless on-screen chemistry, they revealed that a single major fallout occurred, culminating in Dec storming out of a gathering.
The Board Game Dispute That Sparked the Fallout
The argument erupted during a friendly session playing the ITV Who Wants To Be A Millionaire board game. Ant described the incident on their podcast, stating, "We had an argument over Who Wants to be a Millionaire board game. Dec packed up the board game and went home - like a child." Dec, however, defended his actions, asserting, "It was my board game so I took it home because you were a d**k." The core of the dispute centred on Ant's conduct as the game show host, which Dec labelled as "vindictive."
Dec's Account of the 'Vindictive' Move
Dec elaborated on the specific moment that triggered the row. He recalled being presented with a question about murder mystery authors, with options including Agatha Christie and Ruth Rendell. After vocalising his thought process, Dec requested the 50-50 lifeline. Ant, as the host, then removed the other two incorrect answers, leaving precisely Agatha Christie and Ruth Rendell—the two options Dec had already identified. "You were so vindictive as a game show host," Dec remarked, emphasising his frustration at what he perceived as a deliberately unhelpful move.
Ant's Defence and the Aftermath
Ant responded with laughter, defending his actions as "clever and valid." He argued, "It's what Chris Tarrant would have done. It's what the computer would have done." Despite this justification, the disagreement escalated, leading Dec to utter a loud expletive, pack up the game, and depart. Dec confirmed, "I did. That was the end of the game. We've never played it since." This incident remains their only "big argument" in nearly four decades of collaboration.
Broader Context: Recent Revelations About Britain's Got Talent
This revelation follows closely on the heels of another significant disclosure by the duo. Recently, on the Stick To Football podcast, Ant and Dec shared that they had contemplated leaving Britain's Got Talent due to frustrations, notably with Simon Cowell's habitual lateness. Ant explained, "We went to LA to see him to tell him we were going to leave Britain's Got Talent because we weren't having a very nice time." Dec added that Simon Cowell, upon hearing their intentions, promised changes and even playfully insisted they would never leave him, highlighting the dynamic yet enduring nature of their professional relationships.
The duo's podcast, Hanging Out with Ant and Dec, releases new episodes every Thursday on platforms including Spotify and Belta Box, offering fans further insights into their lives and careers.
