ITV has moved decisively to secure the future of its biggest stars, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, with a monumental new contract reportedly worth £30 million. The deal ensures the Geordie presenting partnership, a cornerstone of the channel's entertainment lineup, will remain in place until at least 2028.
A Lucrative Pact to Fend Off Rivals
The three-year agreement, coming as the duo recently celebrated their 50th birthdays, is seen as a strategic move by ITV to protect its most valuable assets. A television insider explained that executives were keen to prevent the pair from being tempted away by rival broadcasters or deep-pocketed streaming services. 'They remain, arguably, ITV's biggest stars,' the source stated, highlighting the channel's desire to avoid losing them as it has other homegrown talent in the past.
Ant and Dec, who first found fame as teenagers on the Newcastle-based drama Byker Grove in 1989, front some of ITV's most successful programmes. These include the ratings juggernauts I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! and Britain's Got Talent, alongside their own game show Limitless Win.
Delight on Both Sides of the Deal
Expressing their joy at the renewed partnership, Ant said: 'We are absolutely delighted to be continuing our long standing and creative partnership with our friends at ITV.' Dec added: 'We're so lucky to work on some of the biggest and best TV shows and we’re proud of what we have achieved together with ITV over the years. We're excited for the future.'
Their sentiment was echoed by ITV's Managing Director for Media and Entertainment, Kevin Lygo, who praised their 'unrivalled' impact on live entertainment. 'This new three year working relationship marks an exciting new chapter with ITV,' Lygo said.
The duo's track record is unparalleled in British television. They have won the National Television Award for Best Presenter a staggering 23 times, a testament to their enduring popularity with viewers.
Byker Grove's Legacy and Modern Warnings
The news of their extended ITV future follows recent attention on the show that launched their careers. Byker Grove has been re-released on the ITVX streaming service, but now carries a trigger warning for modern audiences. ITV bosses added the caution due to the show's depiction of 'outdated attitudes' and use of 'discriminatory language', including racial slurs and derogatory terms.
Despite its controversial elements by today's standards, the show was groundbreaking in its time for tackling hard-hitting issues like drug addiction and homophobia for a teenage audience. The rights to the classic series are owned by Ant and Dec's own production company, Mitre Studios, which facilitated its return to streaming.
This landmark £30 million deal solidifies Ant and Dec's status as ITV's golden boys for the foreseeable future, guaranteeing their unique brand of entertainment will remain a prime-time fixture for millions of British households.
