Dec Donnelly broke down in tears while reading a heartfelt letter to his younger self during the latest episode of his podcast Hanging Out With Ant & Dec, released on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The emotional moment caught his co-star and longtime friend Ant McPartlin by surprise, as Dec struggled to compose himself while delivering the moving message.
Dec Reads Letter to His 1994 Self
In the letter, addressed to his 1994 self, Dec reflected on the changes since his Byker Grove days and offered advice. He began: "Dear Declan. It's me/you from the future. From 2026. Sounds exciting, right? Well, I've started to report. We're not yet travelling around in hover cars, nor do we have robo servants or space colonies." He then referenced the diary he kept in March and April 1994, which he had just finished reading on the podcast.
Dec continued: "I realise pretty much all of that information will make any sense whatsoever, considering you haven't been introduced to the internet yet. You don't know what an email is, and you haven't even started texting. That's coming later this year when you get your first Nokia 2110." He described the mixed emotions of that time: "It was exciting and exhilarating, yet daunting and bewildering. Thrilling and intoxicating, yet intense and exhausting."
Advice and Reflections on Friendship
Dec advised his younger self to "grab every opportunity" and "treasure the true friendships," specifically highlighting his bond with Ant: "Yours and Ant's friendship will endure through thick and thin, and if you can believe it, is even stronger in 2026 than it is there now." He also urged himself to "stop and smell the flowers from time to time" and "get home as much as you can," noting that his family gave him the best start in life.
Struggling to hold back tears, Dec admitted: "This might be the hard bit," before continuing: "Get home as much as you can. Your family have given you the best start in life. Your success is their success to share it with them. You'll miss them and Newcastle more than you know. They'll always be there for you. They're not all gonna be there forever, though. So appreciate them all while you have them."
Fans React to Emotional Moment
Fans quickly took to social media to express their emotions. @smithanne1973 commented: "Why did this make me cry. You're both brilliant & I’m loving the podcast." @francejayne added: "Your friendship has stood the test of time, ups & downs but your both there for each other, love it ... keep smashing!" @mabelnelson286 wrote: "You made me cry that is so sweet. I absolutely love your guys friendship. Having that one friend is the best thing in the world."
The podcast, which launched in January 2026, marks the first podcast series for the duo after more than 30 years of working together. They first met on the set of Byker Grove in the early 1990s, where they starred as PJ & Duncan, and have since become the main hosts of Britain's Got Talent and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!
