ITV presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have apologised for a now-deleted video, which showed the pair hanging from a washing line to promote their new podcast
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have issued an apology after backlash from fans online over a video posted on their new Belta Box channel, as fans warned it could trigger those with mental health struggles.
**WARNING: This article contains themes of suicide which some readers may find distressing**
The pair also deleted the video – which has been obtained by the Mirror but we have chosen not to show the image which fans have taken offence to. It was shared on the pair’s newly renamed Belta Box Instagram and Twitter channels last night to promote their brand new podcast, but they soon faced calls from fans to take the clip down.
The deleted clip showed the duo hanging from a washing line. The video, clearly intended to be a playful take on their new podcast title Hanging Out With Ant and Dec, opened with a close-up image of Dec’s feet appearing to be suspended in the air, which was particularly upsetting for some viewers.
The video, which promoted their podcast, was posted on Instagram and X, with the caption: “Our brand-new podcast Hanging Out With Ant & Dec is launching Thursday 22nd January!” The video showed the pair hanging from a washing line before Dec asked “Did you agree to this?” Before Ant replied: “No, I thought this was your idea.” Dec declared: “This is not what we meant by hanging out”, as Ant pleaded: “Can someone get us down please?”
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Music then played over the clip before Ant said: “Hanging out with Ant and Dec, our new podcast, is coming soon.” Dec added: “Listen wherever you get your podcasts and watch on the Belta Box YouTube channel.” Shortly after the clip was posted, the pair were met with criticism on social media, due to fears it could be triggering for people who are suffering with their mental health.
It comes after one follower wrote on X: “Errm you guys are great, but this video is horrendous. Come on, surely one person during editing could see how triggering the start would be to some people. Remove it.” Another added: “I’d hate for someone in distress to see this. Guys I know it isn’t intentional, but maybe take this down and re-edit the promotional materials.”
A third said: “Very poor taste that. That is intentional to grab attention. Ant and Dec already have a huge following, why ruin their own reputation to promote a podcast.” Meanwhile, another person wrote on the comments of their Instagram post of the clip: “Whoever thought that having JUST hanging legs and feet as the start of an advertisement is a good idea needs firing. If it indicated they were on a washing line first, that’s different.
“For someone who’s suffered and continues to struggle with mental issues, as well as knowing people who’ve lost their battles in a manner that the start of this advertisement insinuates is triggering. Be interested to know what mental health charities make of it @samaritanscharity @mindcharity”.
The pair reacted swiftly by deleting the video and have since issued an apology. Ant and Dec have shared with the Mirror. It read: “We did not mean to cause any offence with this promo video and we are sorry if it has upset anyone. We have taken on board the comments and have deleted the video.”
It comes after the duo announced their brand new venture yesterday. The pair made an announcement on Saturday Night Takeaway’s official Instagram and YouTube pages to reveal a new project – which includes the pair hosting their own podcast. The channel has been transformed with a new name and branding, called Belta Box, which is their brand new entertainment channel and will house new content including new digital projects while also taking a look back at some of their career highlights.
Meanwhile, the platform will also feature their brand new podcast, Hanging Out With Ant and Dec, which launches on January 22. Speaking about the exciting new venture, 50 year old Ant said: “We’ve spent our whole careers celebrating great entertainment, so launching Belta Box feels like the natural next step. 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.”
While his pal Dec, 50, added: “What better way to launch Belta Box than with our first ever podcast series! We asked our audience if we did a podcast what would they like it be about, and they said we just want you guys to hang out. So that’s what we’re doing! Ant & I don’t get to hang out as much as we used to, so it’s perfect for us.”
Source: Mirror
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