Ant McPartlin Reveals One Show He Won't Host 'Never Again'
Television presenter Ant McPartlin has candidly shared the real reason he and his long-time hosting partner Declan Donnelly will never return to front a major awards ceremony. The iconic duo, known collectively as Ant and Dec, have hosted the prestigious BRIT Awards on three separate occasions, but Ant has now firmly closed the door on any future involvement.
The Challenges of Hosting a Rowdy Crowd
During a recent episode of their podcast, Hanging Out with Ant & Dec, the 50-year-old star explained that while the BRIT Awards are a fantastic celebration of British music, they present unique difficulties for those tasked with presenting the live television broadcast. Ant stated emphatically, "[We've hosted it] three times, never again." He clarified that this decision is not due to any lack of belief in the awards themselves, which he praised as being "really good for British music."
Instead, the issue lies with the atmosphere of the event. Ant elaborated, "It's a fun night if you're nominated, it's a fun night – not necessarily if you're hosting it though because everybody in the room just wants to get drunk and have a good time and you're trying to wrangle the whole crowd." He further highlighted the logistical nightmares, noting that artists and bands who agree to pre-show interviews often change their minds at the last minute, leaving presenters scrambling.
A History with the BRITs
Ant and Dec first hosted the BRIT Awards in 2001, returning for subsequent ceremonies in 2015 and 2016. Their connection to the awards runs deeper than just presenting; they were once nominees themselves. In 1995, the duo, then known as pop act PJ & Duncan following their early careers on CBBC's Byker Grove, were nominated for the BRIT Award for Best British Newcomer. They lost out to the legendary band Oasis.
Reflecting on that experience, Ant said, "That was a fun night. We didn't win that night." This personal history as nominees gives them a unique perspective on the event, contrasting the enjoyment of being an attendee with the pressures of hosting.
Focus on Other Projects
The Geordie presenting pair remain television mainstays, fronting major ITV shows like I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, Britain's Got Talent, and their own quiz program, Ant And Dec's Limitless Win. Their decision to step away from the BRITs allows them to concentrate on these successful ventures where they have more control over the production environment.
With Ant and Dec definitively out of the running, comic Jack Whitehall will take over hosting duties for the upcoming BRIT Awards ceremony in Manchester. The event promises a stellar lineup of performers, including chart-topper Harry Styles, Raye, Olivia Dean, Sombr, Mark Ronson, and Wolf Alice.
Ant McPartlin's frank admission sheds light on the often-unseen challenges of live awards show hosting, confirming that for him and Dec, the BRIT Awards chapter is firmly and permanently closed.
