In a bombshell confession on their brand-new podcast Hanging Out With Ant & Dec, which launched amid a wave of excitement and controversy in early 2026, Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly spilled the tea on the behind-the-scenes tensions that pushed them to the brink. Declan, eyes wide with the memory, recounted how they told the music mogul-turned-reality TV king: “We might as well leave” the show entirely.

The words hung in the air like a guillotine. For a moment, the future of one of ITV’s flagship programs—and arguably the presenting partnership that has defined Saturday night entertainment for generations—hung in the balance. “We were in the show less and less,” Dec explained on the podcast. “It’s taking up a lot of our time, we’re not really in the show… we might as well leave and put our energies elsewhere.”

Ant nodded grimly beside him, adding that Simon’s notorious lateness had become a flashpoint. “He was always late… it was through his period where he would just never turn up on time.” The duo flew across the Atlantic to deliver the ultimatum face-to-face. Simon, caught off guard, reportedly responded: “You will never leave me.” And, as history shows, they didn’t—yet the near-miss has sent shockwaves through the industry, with headlines screaming of an ITV “quitting” bombshell that could have rewritten TV schedules forever.

The image circulating online captures the moment perfectly: split-screen shots of Ant, looking intense in a dark navy top with his signature chain necklace, and Dec, animated in a light beige jacket over black, both mid-conversation on what appears to be a chat show set. The bold red overlay reads: “We might as well leave”: Ant and Dec in shock ITV ‘quitting’ bombshell. It’s the kind of dramatic caption that screams Daily Mail—pure clickbait gold, blending nostalgia, betrayal, and high-stakes drama.

From Byker Grove to Britain’s Got Talent: The Unbreakable Bond Tested

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly first teamed up as teenagers on the kids’ drama Byker Grove in the late 1980s, playing PJ and Duncan—names that would later become synonymous with cheeky Geordie charm. Their transition to presenting was seamless: stints on CBBC, then the groundbreaking SMTV Live and CD:UK on ITV in the late ’90s, where they perfected their banter, pranks, and audience-winning energy.

By 2007, they were the natural choice to host the UK version of Britain’s Got Talent, Simon Cowell’s brainchild after Pop Idol and The X Factor. The show became a juggernaut: Susan Boyle’s viral audition, Diversity’s street-dance triumph, Pudsey the dog, and countless tear-jerking moments. Ant and Dec’s warm, witty hosting kept it grounded amid the judges’ drama.

But success bred complications. As the series evolved, Cowell’s role as head judge and executive producer meant more screen time for the panel—David Walliams, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, and later Bruno Tonioli. Ant and Dec felt sidelined. “We weren’t having a very nice time,” Ant admitted. The late arrivals, the reduced airtime, the endless filming commitments—it all built up.

The LA confrontation was the tipping point. They booked flights, sat Simon down, and laid it out: fix the issues or we’re gone. Cowell, ever the dealmaker, promised changes—better punctuality, more balanced editing. The duo stayed, and BGT continued its reign, racking up massive ratings and BAFTAs.

The Podcast Bombshell: Why Now?

The confession dropped in the first episode of Hanging Out With Ant & Dec, their debut podcast under the Belta Box platform. Launched in January 2026, it was meant to be light-hearted nostalgia—reminiscing about old pranks, celebrity encounters, and their 37-year friendship. Instead, it unleashed a torrent of headlines.

Fans flooded social media: “Ant and Dec nearly quit BGT? Mind blown!” “Simon Cowell late again? Classic.” Others defended the mogul: “He’s busy running an empire—cut him slack.” The timing is poignant. Just weeks earlier, in December 2025, ITV announced a lucrative three-year contract extension with the duo, locking them in through 2028—marking 30 years since they first joined the network for SMTV. Worth a reported £30 million, it covers I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, Britain’s Got Talent, Limitless Win, and more.

So why dredge up old grievances now? Insiders say it’s cathartic. After the emotional farewell to Saturday Night Takeaway in 2024—after 20 series, the pair decided to “pause” the beloved live variety show to “catch their breath”—they’ve been reevaluating priorities. Dec recently admitted the friendship has “distance” these days; Ant moved 40 miles away from Dec to Surrey, trading London life for more space.

The podcast allows them to air it all— the one big argument over a board game version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, the reduced Takeaway airtime complaints, and now this BGT near-exit. “We’ve only ever had one big argument,” they laughed, but the underlying message is clear: even the strongest partnerships have cracks.

ITV’s Golden Boys: Still Unshakable?

Despite the “quitting” drama, Ant and Dec remain ITV royalty. The 2025 extension was hailed as a “new chapter.” I’m a Celebrity continues to dominate autumn schedules from Australia, with millions tuning in for jungle antics. BGT auditions roll on, Cowell still at the helm (though remotely more often).

The duo’s personal journeys add layers. Ant’s well-documented battle with addiction—stepping away in 2018 for rehab, missing I’m a Celebrity—tested their partnership. Dec supported him publicly and privately. Their resilience has endeared them further.

Fans adore the authenticity. Comments pour in: “They’re human—good on them for speaking out.” “Simon needed that wake-up call.” The near-quit story humanizes the gloss of stardom.

What If They Had Left? The Alternate Reality

Imagine a world without Ant and Dec on BGT. Who hosts? Stephen Mulhern? A rotating panel? The show’s chemistry— their cheeky asides during auditions, the “It’s a yes from me” catchphrases—might never have solidified. Ratings could have dipped; the magic lost.

Thankfully, it didn’t happen. Simon backed down, changes were made, and the show thrived. But the confession reminds us: even icons have breaking points.

The Legacy Lives On

As 2026 unfolds, Ant and Dec gear up for another BGT series, more jungle escapades, and whatever comes next. The podcast continues, promising more revelations. Their bond—tested by time, fame, personal struggles—endures.

In an industry of fleeting stars, Ant and Dec are constants. The “we might as well leave” moment? A close call, but one that ultimately strengthened their grip on our screens.

For now, the nation breathes a sigh of relief: the Geordie duo aren’t going anywhere. ITV’s golden boys are here to stay—lateness, arguments, and all.