Ant & Dec and the “Unstoppable Pranks” That Stir Backstage Storms

For more than two decades, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly — or simply Ant & Dec — have been the inseparable faces of British television. The duo are loved not only for their effortless charm and chemistry but also for their outrageous pranks — brilliantly inventive, endlessly cheeky, and sometimes… just a little too far.

Laughter On Screen, Storms Behind the Curtain

While millions of viewers howl with laughter at their elaborate tricks, the reality backstage isn’t always so smooth. Ant once confessed:

“We’ve had a couple of people who were really grumpy about it. It takes them a while to see the funny side.”

No celebrity has ever banned a prank from being broadcast, but tantrums and tempers behind the scenes are more common than fans might imagine.

A-List Victims of Mischief

The list of Ant & Dec’s “victims” reads like a who’s who of British entertainment: celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, controversial presenter Piers Morgan, and even their own boss, Simon Cowell. Amanda Holden has been caught in awkwardly staged chaos, while Holly Willoughby was left stunned during a jaw-dropping fake proposal.

One of the most unforgettable moments saw Ant drop to one knee on stage, proposing to a woman in front of an ecstatic crowd and an emotional Holly. But then came the twist: the woman refused, only to reveal she was having an affair with another man right there on stage. The atmosphere flipped instantly, creating one of the most iconic moments of live television — proof of Ant & Dec’s mischievous genius.

The Fine Line Between Comedy and Cruelty

It’s exactly this daring approach that has drawn criticism. Some viewers accuse Ant & Dec of crossing the line, turning genuine embarrassment into comedy. A few stars have even reacted with fury in the heat of the moment, threatening to storm off set. Yet in the end, almost all of them admit it was a “brilliant prank” — and when the footage airs, they can’t help but laugh along.

The Legacy of Britain’s Cheekiest Duo

Debates over where humor ends and humiliation begins will never fade, but there’s no denying that Ant & Dec’s boldness has become part of their legacy. Their pranks are a cornerstone of shows like Saturday Night Takeaway and I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! — keeping millions glued to their screens every weekend.

Perhaps it’s their ability to balance on that razor-thin line between comedy and chaos that ensures Ant & Dec remain the unrivaled kings of British entertainment — no matter how many grumpy meltdowns they spark backstage.