For more than three decades, they’ve been inseparable on British television. But now, Ant and Dec have made a rare, heartfelt admission — and it’s struck a quiet chord with fans across the country.
Nearly two years after Saturday Night Takeaway came to an emotional end in April 2024, the beloved presenting duo have announced a major new project — one that not only looks forward, but also gently reflects on everything they’ve built together.
Despite continuing to front major ITV shows including I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and Tipping Point, viewers have never stopped asking the same question: Will Ant and Dec ever truly come back together again?
Now, they’ve answered — in a way few expected.
A New Platform, A Familiar Bond
Taking to the official Saturday Night Takeaway Instagram and YouTube channels, Ant and Dec revealed the launch of Belta Box, a brand-new entertainment channel designed to house fresh digital projects while also celebrating some of the most iconic moments of their shared career.
The channel marks a significant shift — even the old Saturday Night Takeaway accounts have been rebranded — signalling the start of something new, while still honouring the past.
And at the heart of Belta Box is a deeply personal project.
“We Don’t Get to Hang Out as Much as We Used To”
The platform’s flagship launch will be a new podcast, Hanging Out With Ant and Dec, which premieres on January 22.
Speaking about the venture, Ant McPartlin, 50, explained that after a lifetime of celebrating entertainment, this felt like the right next step.
“We’ve spent our whole careers celebrating great entertainment, so launching Belta Box feels like the natural next step,” Ant said.
“Alongside our new podcast, we’re excited to create a space packed with fun, feel-good content that brings people together — no matter where they’re watching or listening.”
But it was Declan Donnelly’s words that carried unexpected emotional weight.
“Ant and I don’t get to hang out as much as we used to,” Dec, 50, admitted.
“So this is perfect for us.”
After more than 30 years of friendship and working side by side, the confession felt quietly heartbreaking — a reminder that even the strongest partnerships are tested by time, schedules, and life beyond the cameras.
From Takeaway to Belta Box
In a video shared across their newly transformed channels, the pair broke the news in classic Ant and Dec style — playful, warm, and unmistakably them.
They explained that while Saturday Night Takeaway is no longer on air, the channel will now offer even more — including archive favourites from SMTV Live and Byker Grove, alongside brand-new original content.
The announcement ended with the duo leaping into frame to reveal their podcast set — a simple but symbolic moment that felt like two lifelong friends choosing to reconnect.
Fans React: “This Feels Personal”
The response was instant.
“Ant & Dec podcast sounds incredible,” one fan wrote.
Another added: “RIP Saturday Night Takeaway channel — but I’m so excited for what’s next.”
A third simply said: “This feels like coming home.”
For viewers who grew up watching Ant and Dec, Belta Box isn’t just another digital project — it’s a reminder that some bonds don’t fade, even when life pulls people in different directions.
After three decades, countless shows, and millions of shared memories, this isn’t a comeback — it’s a reunion.
