TV presenter Ant McPartlin may be taking a year off from showbiz to focus on his recovery, but he's still keeping his fans entertained on social media. After making a rare return to Twitter last week, Ant has once again made his fans giggle by sharing a HILARIOUS photo of his best friend and co-presenter Dec Donnelly.
Ant shared a snap of Dec poking his head through a hanger with a red and black flamenco dress on, to wish his friend a happy 43rd birthday. Ant wrote alongside the funny photo, 'Happy Birthday from the big one to the little one! 😂'. [sic]
Fans of the Geordie-duo were quick to comment on the photo, with many expressing how much they love the pair. One user wrote, 'Yay. Love you Ant and happy birthday Dec ♥️♥️♥️♥️', with another adding, 'happy birthday dec! also, it’s good seeing you back on twitter ant, we’ve missed ya❤️. [sic]
Another then wrote, 'Aww that’s so sweet Ant, love you both'. [sic]
Check out Ant and Dec's career timeline:
Ant and Dec's career timeline (slider)
1 of 8And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec as PJ and DuncanIn 1989 Dec landed a part on BBC children's drama Byker Grove, playing Duncan. A year later Ant was cast as PJ – PJ and Duncan was born.Another career change for the boys came in 1994, when they began as co-presenters of children's show Gimme 5 on CITV. Just a year later they landed their own programme, The Ant & Dec Show, this time on CBBC.
2 of 8And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec became popstarsIt wasn't just acting for the boys: PJ & Duncan were pop stars for a while, and became best known for their 1994 UK top 10 Let's Get Ready to Rhumble.Their last studio album, The Cult of Ant and Dec, was released in 1997, managing to chart at number 15.
3 of 8And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec hosted SMTV and CD
4 of 8Ant & Dec: Primetime career
They hit the prime time with talent show Pop IdolThey presented Pop Idol for two years, before it replaced with The X Factor and Kate Thornton took over.This gave them the opportunity to create and present Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, which is about begin its 13th series.In 2002, a year after Saturday Night Takeaway's debut, the boys joined I'm a Celebrity and have become huge parts of the show.
5 of 8Ant & Dec: Awards
Among their numerous gongs, Ant & Dec have received the National Television Award for Most Popular Entertainment/TV Presenter for 15 years running. Most recently, at the 2018 NTAs, the duo won Best Presenter.
6 of 8Ant & Dec: Relationships
In 2015 Dec married his longtime manager Ali Astall and Ant was, of course, best man. And in July 2006, Dec acted as best man at Ant's wedding to make-up artist Lisa Armstrong. Ant and Lisa, however, filed for divorce this year after 11 years of marriage.
7 of 8Ant & Dec: Friendship
Ant previously revealed his friendship with Dec started in 1990, when he sent him a Christmas card and invited him to a football match.He said: "And that was that. It just happened immediately. We clicked. We'd spend all day making each other laugh and annoying everyone and quoting Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer lines to each other."When their parts were written out of Byker Grove, the boys vowed to stick together. Dec told Weekend magazine: "We made a pact. We said to each other, 'Look, whatever happens, I'll always be there for you and you're never in this life on your own or against the world – you've always got a mate looking out for you."Even though they work together, Ant & Dec make sure they go out together at least once a week – and even live three doors apart in London!Dec said: "It's our choice to socialise outside work. And we both get to go to work with our best mate every day. And that keeps our feet on the ground."Ant added: "We love each other, definitely."
8 of 8Ant & Dec: Britain's Got Talent
Establishing themselves as the busiest presenters in the country, Ant & Dec signed up for Britain's Got Talent in 2006 – and a year later signed a two-year golden handcuffs deal with ITV, which was thought to be worth £40 million.
Ant's message comes just weeks after he announced he'd be taking time off from the world of showbiz, following his arrest earlier this year for drink driving.
Ant will continue to stay off our screens for the foreseeable future whilst he takes time to get well, and in his absence, This Morning's Holly Willoughby has stepped in to present this year's I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! alongside Dec when it returns later this year.
The news was annoucned last month, with Holly saying, "I couldn’t be more excited to have been asked to stand alongside Dec for the next jungle adventure. I love Ant and want to send him my best wishes and support for a continued recovery.
"These are big shoes, not to fill, but just to keep warm for a little bit... Honestly, I’m a huge fan of I’m a Celebrity and actually feel like I’ve won a competition to go and hang out on my favourite show! When is it a good time to tell Dec I’m scared of everything that moves?!
Despite taking over his role, it seems Ant is overjoyed that Holly is presenting the show, with the 42-year-old admitting he is "happy" with the replacement choice.
Meanwhile, as he celebrates his 43rd birthday today (Tuesday 25th September), Dec is enjoying fatherhood, with his wife Ali Astall welcoming the couple's first child into the world earlier this month.
Announcing their happy news on Instagram, Dec wrote, 'Ali and I are thrilled to announce the arrival of our baby girl, Isla Elizabeth Anne, who was born just after 9 o’clock this morning. Mother and daughter both doing well, Dad is head over heels! D x'. [sic]
So cute! 👶
If your favourite music icons are the Spice Girls and your favourite Ks are Kylie and the Kardashians, you need heat Radio in your life! heat Radio is portable, so you can listen to us on the move. Simply download our app from your phone’s app store or listen on DAB Digital Radio UK, on Freeview Channel 716 or online at heatradio.com and at heatworld.com. We’re on all the smart speakers too, just say “play heat Radio".