Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have apologised after fierce criticism for an advert selling their new podcast which has been labelled ‘reckless’ and ‘sickening’.
The Geordie TV duo often entertain the nation on Saturday nights by fronting the likes of quiz present Limitless Win, Saturday Evening Takeaway and multi-evening collection Britain’s Received Expertise and I’m A Superstar… Get Me Out of Right here!.
However for 2026, they’re shifting into the audio area to affix the podcast growth with their new providing, Hanging Out with Ant & Dec.
Nevertheless, an advert shared for the podcast launch on their official X web page on Friday – which has since been eliminated – featured the presenters pegged to a clothesline on a backyard set, subsequent to objects together with a delicate toy, two bananas and a Newcastle United soccer shirt.
The opening was known as ‘triggering’ and ‘deeply disappointing’ for displaying solely the TV stars’ ft hanging suspended in mid-air as Dec’s voice is heard asking: ‘Did you conform to this?’
It then cuts to simply Ant’s ft as his voice responds: ‘No, I assumed this was your concept.’
‘This isn’t what we meant by ‘hanging out’,’ continues Dec, because the digicam then reveals him hanging on the road, pegged up by his hoodie, earlier than Ant is seen absolutely too and asks for them to be helped down.
‘I’m going to be blunt as a result of this ‘artistic path’ is genuinely sickening and deeply disappointing,’ responded X Issue star Katie Waissel beneath the submit within the social platform’s feedback part.
‘This opening visible of ft suspended above the bottom is just not a innocent ‘play on phrases’, it instantly reads as somebody hanging, and the suicide imagery is unimaginable to disregard.’
Blasting the advertising idea as inconsiderate and careless, she added: ‘With a platform as massive as yours, there’s a clear obligation to behave responsibly. That is completely foreseeable hurt.
‘It’s triggering, insensitive, and admittedly reckless to push out as ‘leisure’ when so many households have been devastated by suicide and self-harm.’
Others agreed and thanked former Superstar Large Brother contestant Katie for pointing this out, with Amar asking: ‘Who of their proper thoughts would assume displaying legs dangling as a begin of an commercial is a good suggestion?’
‘I need to admit, that was the very first thing I considered after I noticed the ft dangling,’ added Sharon Hopewell whereas James Ross agreed there was ‘subliminal messaging’ and Dave known as the transfer ‘in poor style’.
‘This must be pulled and readdressed instantly,’ added Katie. ‘You may promote a present with out normalising imagery that would genuinely misery folks.’
In an announcement issued to Metro from Ant and Dec, the presenters apologised and confirmed the advert had been pulled.
‘We didn’t imply to trigger any offence with this promo video and we’re sorry if it has upset anybody. We’ve got taken on board the feedback and have deleted the video.’
The podcast is ready to launch on January 22 by way of their new Belta Field model, and in it the pair will chat about their lives and take questions and feedback from listeners.
New content material for his or her model, together with basic clips from their careers and ‘new digital codecs’, will even be out there throughout platforms together with YouTube, Fb, Instagram and TikTok.
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