In a rare moment of raw honesty that has left fans reeling, Declan Donnelly has admitted that his legendary partnership and lifelong friendship with Ant McPartlin has hit an unprecedented rough patch – with the duo now “further apart than we’ve ever been” both geographically and emotionally.

The 50-year-old presenter, one half of the beloved Geordie duo Ant and Dec, made the bombshell revelation during an emotional interview tied to the launch of their new podcast, Hanging Out with Ant & Dec. Speaking candidly, Dec confessed that life changes – including Ant’s recent house move and Dec’s own journey into fatherhood – have created a tangible “distance” that neither saw coming after more than three decades of almost inseparable closeness.

“Ant’s moved house now – geographically we’re further away from each other than we’ve ever been,” Dec revealed, his voice tinged with genuine sadness. “We don’t get the chance to hang out as much and talk as much as we used to. I love them dearly, but we don’t hang out as much as we used to.”

The admission has sent shockwaves through the showbiz world, where Ant and Dec have long been hailed as the ultimate example of enduring bromance and professional harmony. From their early days on kids’ TV in the 1980s to dominating Saturday night schedules with hits like I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, Saturday Night Takeaway, and Britain’s Got Talent, the pair have been virtually inseparable – living near each other, working together almost daily, and weathering personal storms side by side.

But recent years have brought seismic shifts. Ant’s dramatic life overhaul following his 2018 drink-driving crash – which saw him step away from work, enter rehab, and rebuild his life with new wife Anne-Marie Corbett and her daughters – marked a turning point. Dec has repeatedly praised Ant for becoming “a better person than he was before,” admiring his friend’s resilience and growth. Yet, the changes have inevitably altered their dynamic.

The “controversial move” at the heart of the distance? Ant’s decision to relocate from his long-time home in Chiswick, South West London – right near Dec’s property – to a new house in Wimbledon. What seemed like a simple family upgrade has had profound ripple effects. Previously neighbours who could pop over for a chat or a pint, the pair now face a physical separation that Dec says has made spontaneous hangouts impossible.

“I’m a dad now, Ant’s got his family life,” Dec explained further in the interview. “Life gets in the way sometimes. We still love each other, we still work brilliantly together – but it’s not the same as when we were in our twenties, living round the corner, seeing each other every day.”

Fans have reacted with a mix of heartbreak and understanding. Social media exploded with comments ranging from “This is so sad – Ant and Dec are family!” to “Life happens, but they’ll always have each other’s backs.” One viral post read: “Further apart than ever? After everything they’ve been through? My heart can’t take it.”

The duo’s friendship has weathered more storms than most. Ant’s addiction battles, the 2018 crash that left him banned from driving and publicly apologising, and the subsequent tabloid scrutiny tested their bond to its limits. Dec stood by his friend unwaveringly, taking on solo presenting duties while Ant recovered. When Ant returned, their on-screen chemistry proved as electric as ever – a testament to a partnership forged in childhood.

Yet Dec’s latest comments suggest the cracks are more about ordinary life than drama. Fatherhood has kept Dec grounded in family routines with wife Ali Astall and their children – Isla, 6, and Jack, born in 2022. Ant, meanwhile, has embraced stepfatherhood and a quieter existence away from the spotlight’s glare.

The house move itself sparked its own mini-controversy. Ant had faced neighbour disputes in Chiswick – including rows over property alterations and noise – prompting the relocation for a fresh start. While some saw it as sensible, others whispered it symbolised a deliberate step back from the intense proximity that defined their friendship for decades.

Insiders say the pair remain “thick as thieves” professionally. Their podcast launch – a candid, laugh-filled dive into their careers and personal lives – was designed to reconnect with fans and perhaps each other. Episodes have already featured hilarious anecdotes, like a royal mishap where they were told to “be quiet” during a sleepover at King Charles’ Scottish residence while filming a documentary.

But off-air, the distance is real. “We don’t hang out as much,” Dec admitted bluntly. “Careers, families, geography – it all adds up.” He insisted there’s no bad blood: “I admire Ant so much for how far he’s come. He’s a better person now, and I’m proud of him.”

The confession has prompted reflection across the industry. TV veterans point out that long-term partnerships like theirs are rare – and even rarer when they survive personal upheavals. “Most duos burn out or fall out,” one producer noted. “Ant and Dec have defied the odds. This ‘distance’ is just maturity, not the end.”

Fans aren’t ready to accept any cooling off. Petition-style threads on X call for more joint appearances, while others share throwback clips of the pair in their Byker Grove days, proving their bond is unbreakable.

As 2026 unfolds, with I’m a Celebrity looming and potential new projects, the question lingers: Can Ant and Dec bridge the gap? Dec’s words suggest optimism tempered by realism. “We’re further apart than we’ve ever been – but that doesn’t mean we’re not still us.”

In an era of fleeting celebrity friendships, their story remains one of endurance. From Newcastle lads to national treasures, through highs, lows, and now this quiet drift – Ant and Dec prove that even the strongest bonds evolve.

Whether the distance grows or shrinks, one thing’s certain: Britain still loves them – together or apart.