After 23 Years on Top, Has the Ant & Dec Empire Finally Crumbled?

For more than two decades, Ant & Dec were untouchable — the golden kings of British television. Every award, every prime-time slot, every headline belonged to them. But now, for the first time in 23 years, their winning streak has been shattered. And with both stars hitting 50, a brutal question is echoing across the industry: have Britain’s most beloved entertainers finally become outdated relics of the past?

The Fall of a Reign

Their dominance was legendary. From SMTV Live to Britain’s Got Talent, from Saturday Night Takeaway to I’m a Celebrity, Ant & Dec turned everything they touched into TV gold. Ratings soared, ITV cashed in, and the duo racked up trophy after trophy at the National Television Awards — 23 years in a row, an almost mythical streak.

Until now. For the first time in a generation, someone else walked away with the prize for “Best Presenter.” The nation gasped. Social media erupted. And suddenly, the question everyone avoided for years could no longer be ignored: is the Ant & Dec era over?

A Nation Divided

Online, the debate is savage.

The critics: “They’ve become a parody of themselves,” one viewer sneered. “The same slapstick jokes, the same silly routines — it’s like watching a rerun from the early 2000s. Nostalgic, maybe. Relevant? Not anymore.” Another was even harsher: “They’re national treasures, sure. But treasures belong in a museum.”

The defenders: Loyal fans refuse to budge. “Ant & Dec are timeless,” a supporter wrote. “They don’t need to chase TikTok trends or Gen Z memes. Their chemistry, their warmth, their silliness — that’s exactly what makes them irreplaceable.”

ITV’s Dilemma

Behind the scenes, insiders whisper about ITV’s mounting pressure. The duo still deliver ratings, but executives know the clock is ticking. The industry is younger, faster, sharper. How long can two 50-year-old pranksters keep up with an audience raised on YouTube and TikTok?

Even Ant and Dec themselves are rumored to feel the weight of time. Ant looks weary at times, Dec less sharp than before. After decades of dominance, the cracks are starting to show — and the loss of their 23-year crown is more than a slip. It’s a warning.

Relics or Legends?

So here we are: the unthinkable has happened. The nation’s most beloved double act has been dethroned. The laughter remains, but the doubts are louder than ever.

👉 Are Ant & Dec still Britain’s funniest duo — or are we just clinging to the ghosts of yesterday’s jokes?