Declan Donnelly Issues Apology After Awkward Valentine's Question to Ant McPartlin
Declan Donnelly was forced into an embarrassing apology after posing an unexpectedly personal question to his longtime presenting partner Ant McPartlin during their popular podcast. The awkward moment occurred as the Geordie duo discussed Valentine's Day plans, with Dec blurting out a question that immediately made both presenters uncomfortable.
An Uncomfortable Podcast Moment
During a recording of Hanging Out With Ant & Dec, Declan asked his co-host about his weekend plans in a manner that quickly turned awkward. Rather than using conventional phrasing, Dec unexpectedly inquired: "Are you doing something sexy and nice?" The question prompted immediate laughter from Ant, who responded with disbelief, asking "What on earth?" as his partner blustered with visible embarrassment.
"I didn't mean to say that," Donnelly insisted during the podcast recording. "I apologise." Despite the awkward moment, Ant eventually revealed he did indeed have "sexy and nice" plans with his wife, Anne-Marie Corbett, though he noted that surprising her was particularly challenging since she manages their family diary.
Valentine's Plans Revealed
For his part, Declan confirmed he would be celebrating Valentine's Day with his wife, Ali Astall, who also serves as Ant & Dec's manager. Rather than anything particularly romantic, Dec joked they would be having "a family Valentine's with the kids," marking one of the rare occasions when the presenting duo would not be spending time together.
The incident represents one of the few publicly awkward moments between the presenters, who first met in 1990 as young actors working on the second series of children's soap Byker Grove. Despite their 36-year friendship and professional partnership, some questions apparently remain too personal even for these virtually inseparable friends.
A Partnership Spanning Decades
After bonding during their Byker Grove years, Ant and Dec progressed to major television successes including SMTV Live, Pop Idol, Britain's Got Talent, and I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! Their most recent venture, Ant & Dec's Limitless Win, continues to air on ITV. Beyond their presenting work, they have carefully cultivated their brand as savvy businessmen, even maintaining alphabetical order in their appearances with Ant consistently positioned on the left and Dec on the right.
Their personal connection extends beyond professional collaboration. Dec served as best man at both of Ant's weddings—to make-up artist Lisa Armstrong in 2006 and to Anne-Marie Corbett in 2021. During an emotional speech at the latter ceremony, Donnelly described McPartlin as "the best friend a man could have."
Family Lives and Recent Moves
Ant and Anne-Marie welcomed their first child together in May 2024, with McPartlin also serving as stepfather to Anne-Marie's teenage daughters, Daisy and Poppy. After years of living near Dec in south-west London, the couple has recently relocated to a substantial £10 million mansion in leafy Surrey, reportedly paying more than £1 million in stamp duty for the property.
One neighbour told the Daily Mail the sale represented "a record sale for the area," while another noted that Ant appears to be settling well into the exclusive neighbourhood, appearing "very content" and happy to greet people who recognise him. The area's familiarity with celebrity residents means McPartlin is unlikely to face excessive attention from neighbours, according to local reports.
