Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly have certainly won the hearts of the nation over the years with their wit and charm when it comes to presenting.
The Geordie duo, both 44, have never failed to entertain their devoted fans with their vast array of television shows, and this year they’re celebrating a huge presenting milestone.
Since they met on the set of Byker Grove back in the 90s, Ant and Dec have worked together for a staggering 30 years.
With their brand new book ‘Once Upon A Tyne: Celebrating 30 years together on telly’ set to be released this September, Daily Star Online wanted to take a look back at their wonderful career in television.
From Britain’s Got Talent to I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! we’ve got Ant and Dec’s top television triumphs in tribute to their upcoming three-decade anniversary.
Ant and Dec are celebrating their 30 year anniversary of working together this year (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Byker Grove
Ant and Dec’s first worked on TV together in Byker Grove (Image: BBC)
Ant and Dec first met on the BBC drama series about a group of kids who attended the Byker Grove Youth Centre in Newcastle.
Aimed at a teenage and young adult audience, the gripping drama tackled serious and sometimes controversial storylines, with Ant’s character PJ suffering a paint balling injury and going blind.
The popular series aired from 1989 to 2006, and it was where Ant and Dec’s much-loved characters of PJ and Duncan were born.
SMTV Live
They presented SMTV Live back in the 90s alongside Cat Deeley (Image: Ken McKay/REX/Shutterstock)
Before TV legends Ant and Dec provided rib-tickling Saturday night entertainment, the cheeky duo worked in children’s telly.
SMTV Live was a hugely popular ITV kid’s show which first aired in 1998, and ran for over 270 episodes.
Ant and Dec hosted the show alongside TV bombshell Cat Deeley, with the trio’s hilarious banter and on-screen chemistry earning the show great success, attracting around 2.5m viewers.
Memorable moments from the weekend show included a sketch based on Pokémon, the phone competition of “Wonky Donkey” and of course their spoof on popular American sitcom Friends, called “Chums”.
Pop Idol
Pop Idol was the pair’s first primetime presenting job on ITV (Image: PA)
Ant and Dec’s first primetime presenting spot on ITV was Saturday night reality series Pop Idol.
Brand new at the time, the singing completion was judged by Simon Cowell, Pete Waterman, Nicki Chapman and Neil Fox.
Pop Idol was broadcast for two series hosted by Ant and Dec before was replaced in 2004 by The X Factor.
During their time on the show, they entertained viewers with their cheeky charm, and were there to crown Will Young winner in the 2002 series.
Saturday Night Takeaway
Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway first aired back in 2002 (Image: ITV)
Back in 2002, Ant and Dec created their very own show entitled Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
The ITV evening show has had mind-blowing success, with the programme just finishing it’s 16th series.
It’s well-known for some hilarious segments including “Ant & Dec Undercover”, “Ant v Dec” ,”Little Ant and Dec” and the star-studded “End of the Show Show.”
With a whole host of funny antics broadcast to the nation and to a live studio audience with celebrity guests and competitions, it’s no wonder the telly show has continued for so long.
I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
I’m a Celeb is hugely popular for it’s jaw-dropping moments and gruesome trials (Image: ITV)
In 2002, the same year as Saturday Night Takeaway, Donnelly and McPartlin fronted brand new ITV show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
I’m a Celeb is arguably one of the TV duo’s most popular telly shows, as it drew their highest viewing figures to date in February 2004, with nearly 15 million tuning in to watch the third series.
Not only do Ant and Dec offer hilarious pieces to camera throughout the episodes, but viewers adore seeing them laugh at the celebrities who take on the gruesome Bushtucker trials.
Britain’s Got Talent
BGT began over a decade ago and continues to entertain viewers with incredible talent (Image: ITV)
ITV’s hugely popular talent show is back tonight for it’s 14th series, and Ant and Dec have hosted the show from the very start.
In 2007, the same year Ant and Dec signed a two-year deal with ITV which was reportedly worth £40m, they were offered presenting roles on Britain’s Got Talent.
Simon Cowell’s series has featured a mind-boggling amount of talent over the years, with the highlight successful show still a big hit to this day.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
