They’ve been pals for over 30 years, with their partnership kicking off when they met on the set of children’s dram Byker Grove in 1989.
And Ant and Dec have admitted they’ve never been more grateful for their historic partnership than they are now, after a ‘brief break’ threw their famous pairing into doubt.
In a joint interview with The Times Magazine ahead of Sunday’s BAFTA Television awards, the pair, both 45, reflected on their friendship and reunion following Ant’s arrest for drink driving back in 2018.
TV gold: Ant and Dec have admitted they’ve never been more grateful for their historic partnership than they are now, after a ‘brief break’ threw their famous pairing into doubt
When discussing how neither have plans to go their separate ways, Ant remarked on how some TV partnerships don’t go the distance as he said: ‘A lot of double acts only last for a certain amount of time and are very short-lived.’
While in response to the suggestion that it’s because they secretly hate each other, Dec remarked that this ‘disappoints’ him.
He went on: ‘I think the difference is ours is a professional relationship built on a friendship, not a friendship built on a professional relationship. It’s friendship first and foremost. That’s a solid foundation.’
Longtime pals: The presenting duo been pals for over 30 years, with their partnership kicking off when they met on the set of children’s drama Byker Grove in 1989 (pictured in 1995)
Indeed, the pair have survived much in the their three-decade long friendship, most notably their break as a duo after Ant stepped away from all TV duties in 2018 following his drink-drive conviction.
Commenting that he’s more ‘grateful’ to still be doing what he’s doing, Ant explained: ‘You know, we had a bit of a break in our career a couple of years ago and then got back together. We’re so much more grateful for everything.’
He went on to add that it’s a ‘miracle’ that he still gets to work with best pal.
Double act: Speaking ahead of Sunday’s BAFTA Television awards , the pair reflected on their friendship and noted that ‘a lot of double acts are short-lived’ (pictured on The One Show)
Solid: ‘I think the difference is ours is a professional relationship built on a friendship, not a friendship built on a professional relationship. It’s friendship first and foremost. That’s a solid foundation’
In recent days, the pair have been stronger than ever and have continued to front their much-loved shows whilst navigating much changes amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Most notably their award-winning show Saturday Night Takeaway, which returned to screens albeit with a virtual audience and strict restrictions in place.
Dec told how the pair had questioned if the show would even be able to make it on air and remarked that the amount of planning that went into it was ‘intense’.
He added that when they finally walked out onto stage on the first night, it was ‘overwhelming’, with Ant commenting that they were ’emotional’.
‘Miracle’: ‘You know, we had a bit of a break in our career a couple of years ago and then got back together. We’re so much more grateful for everything’
Finally: Dec said when they finally walked out onto stage on the first night of Saturday Night Takeaway this year, it was ‘overwhelming’, with Ant commenting that they were ’emotional’
Elsewhere, away from his professional career, it’s been reported that Ant is set to wed fiancée Anne-Marie Corbett in a low-key ceremony in August.
According to reports from The Sun on Saturday, Anne-Marie has already been for a dress fitting but the couple have only informed those attending the wedding of when and where it’ll take place as they want to keep details under wraps.
A source speaking to the publication claimed: ‘Neither of them want the razzmatazz of a showbiz wedding. They just want their nearest and dearest with them.
Wedding bells: Ant and Anne-Marie ‘are set to wed in August in a low-key ceremony’, it was reported last month (pictured in 2019)
‘It will be a simple but beautiful ceremony, without the glare of the spotlight. They’re both extremely excited and can’t wait to tie the knot.
‘But they’re desperate to keep a lid on things. Those who know have been told it’s top secret.
MailOnline has contacted Ant’s representatives for further comment.
Ant’s engagement to Anne-Marie was announced on New Year’s Eve after he popped the question in a romantic Christmas Eve proposal.
It’s thought that the presenter may have paid up to £200,000 for the ring after designing the piece himself.
Secret: The couple have only informed those attending the wedding of when and where it’ll take place, sources say (pictured 2018)