Beloved television presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have been forced to issue a public apology following a significant backlash against a promotional video for their new podcast. The advert, which has been labelled 'sickening' and 'reckless' by critics, was swiftly removed after it sparked outrage for its perceived association with suicide imagery.
A Controversial Launch for 'Hanging Out with Ant & Dec'
The Geordie duo, famous for hosting shows like Saturday Night Takeaway and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, are venturing into the audio world. Their new podcast, titled 'Hanging Out with Ant & Dec', is scheduled to launch on January 22, 2026 under their new Belta Box brand. However, the launch was marred by controversy after a promotional clip was shared on their official X (formerly Twitter) page on Friday.
The since-deleted video featured a playful, if ill-conceived, visual pun. Set in a garden, it showed the presenters pegged to a clothesline alongside items like a soft toy and a Newcastle United shirt. The opening shot focused solely on their feet dangling in mid-air, accompanied by a dialogue where Dec asks, "Did you agree to this?" and Ant replies, "No, I thought this was your idea."
Fierce Criticism and Calls for Responsibility
The reaction was swift and severe. Former X Factor contestant and Celebrity Big Brother star Katie Waissel led the criticism, calling the creative direction "genuinely sickening and deeply disappointing." She argued that the imagery of suspended feet was not a harmless play on words but immediately evoked the image of someone hanging.
"With a platform as large as yours, there is a clear duty to act responsibly," Waissel wrote in the comments. "This is entirely foreseeable harm. It’s triggering, insensitive, and frankly reckless to push out as ‘entertainment’ when so many families have been devastated by suicide and self-harm."
Her comments were echoed by many other social media users who found the advert in poor taste. One user questioned, "Who in their right mind would think showing legs dangling as a start of an advertisement is a good idea?" while others agreed there was an unfortunate and distressing subliminal message.
Swift Apology and Video Removal
Faced with the growing backlash, Ant and Dec acted quickly. In a statement issued to Metro.co.uk, the pair apologised unreservedly. "We did not mean to cause any offence with this promo video and we are sorry if it has upset anyone," they said. "We have taken on board the comments and have deleted the video."
The podcast itself will see the pair discussing their lives and careers while taking questions from listeners. Additional content for their Belta Box brand, including classic clips and new digital formats, will be rolled out across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
This incident highlights the heightened sensitivity and responsibility required of public figures with massive audiences, particularly concerning mental health themes. The duo's prompt apology and removal of the content has drawn a line under the controversy as they prepare for their podcast's official launch.
