what happened to ant and dec

Ant and Dec are fine and still very active in TV and media; nothing “bad” has happened to them, but there have been a few notable changes and headlines around them recently.

What happened to Ant and Dec?

Still on TV and working with ITV

• The duo have extended their exclusive deal with ITV, taking their partnership with the broadcaster through to a 30‑year milestone.

• Across 2026 they are scheduled to appear on shows such as Ant & Dec’s Limitless Win, Britain’s Got Talent , and I’m a Celebrity… spin‑offs.

• They continue to be two of the UK’s biggest entertainment presenters rather than stepping away from TV.

Saturday Night Takeaway ending (for now)

• Ant and Dec decided to bring Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway to an end (or at least a long break) after its 20th series.

• They explained that the show has been running since 2002 and they wanted more time for family and to pursue other projects, rather than the show being cancelled due to scandal or poor ratings.

• This decision is one of the main reasons people online ask “what happened to Ant and Dec,” as it feels like the end of an era.

New digital channel and first podcast

• In early 2026, they launched a new digital entertainment channel called Belta Box , featuring fresh content and curated clips from past shows like Byker Grove , SM:TV , and Saturday Night Takeaway.

• Alongside that, they are fronting their first podcast together, Hanging Out With Ant & Dec, where they chat, reminisce, and answer listener questions; episodes are released regularly with bonus content.

• The podcast is pitched as very relaxed with “no script, no agenda, no interruptions,” focusing on them just hanging out and talking.

The social media apology

• When they announced the podcast and Belta Box, a promotional video posted on social accounts drew criticism for including content some viewers found disturbing in relation to mental health.

• After the backlash, they deleted the video and issued a public apology, saying they did not intend to cause distress and had taken the feedback on board.

• This incident trended briefly, so some forum discussions about “what happened” are referring to that controversy rather than any career-ending problem.

The Banksy art “secret profits” court case

• In March 2026, it emerged that Ant and Dec had obtained a High Court order in a dispute over transactions involving Banksy artworks.

• They claim an intermediary made “secret profits” when helping them buy, sell, and loan art for their collection, including a version of Banksy’s Napalm , and that they were not told the true sale prices.

• The court agreed there was a “good arguable case” and granted a disclosure order so they can trace where the money went via an art dealer and associated company.

Recent lighter headlines

• They continue to appear on Britain’s Got Talent , and one recent episode made headlines when Dec fell getting off a trampoline during a stunt; Ant swore on air in shock and then joked about how dangerous it was.

• The mishap and their reaction prompted a lot of amused social media posts, showing they’re still very much in their usual jokey, live-TV mode.

Mini FAQ: “So, what’s the short version?”

1. Are Ant and Dec still together as a duo?
   Yes, they’re still working together on multiple shows and new digital projects.

2. Did they quit TV?
   No; they’ve paused Saturday Night Takeaway after 20 series but remain heavily involved with ITV and new online content.

3. Why are they in the news now?
   Mainly for:

   • Launching their first podcast and Belta Box channel.

 * An apology over a misjudged promo video.

 * A High Court move to trace alleged “secret profits” from Banksy art deals.