{"id":375331,"date":"2026-01-17T14:30:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T14:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/375331\/"},"modified":"2026-01-17T14:30:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T14:30:11","slug":"ant-and-dec-apologise-after-huge-backlash-over-sickening-podcast-advert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/375331\/","title":{"rendered":"Ant and Dec apologise after huge backlash over \u2018sickening\u2019 podcast advert"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Promo
\n\t\tPresenters Ant and Dec have been met with backlash after advertising their new podcast<\/p>\n

Ant McPartlin<\/a> and Declan Donnelly<\/a> have apologised after fierce criticism for an advert promoting their new podcast<\/a> which has been labelled \u2018reckless\u2019 and \u2018sickening\u2019.<\/p>\n

The Geordie TV duo regularly entertain the nation on Saturday nights by fronting the likes of quiz show Limitless Win, Saturday Night Takeaway<\/a> and multi-evening series Britain\u2019s Got Talent and I\u2019m A Celebrity\u2026 Get Me Out of Here!<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But for 2026, they\u2019re moving into the audio space to join the podcast boom with their new offering, Hanging Out with Ant & Dec.<\/p>\n

However, an advert shared for the podcast launch on their official X page on Friday \u2013 which has since been removed \u2013 featured the presenters pegged to a clothesline on a garden set, next to items including a soft toy, two bananas and a Newcastle<\/a> United football shirt.<\/p>\n

The opening was called \u2018triggering\u2019 and \u2018deeply disappointing\u2019 for showing only the TV stars\u2019 feet hanging suspended in mid-air as Dec\u2019s voice is heard asking: \u2018Did you agree to this?\u2019<\/p>\n

It then cuts to just Ant\u2019s feet as his voice responds: \u2018No, I thought this was your idea.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Editorial
\n\t\tThe TV star duo are launching Hanging Out with Ant & Dec later this month (Picture: James Gourley\/ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Dec's
\n\t\tThe opening shots of a now-deleted video spot showed Dec and then Ant\u2019s feet hanging in mid-air, which fans saw as \u2018insensitive\u2019 and \u2018in poor taste\u2019 (Picture: X)<\/p>\n

\u2018This is not what we meant by \u2018hanging out\u2019,\u2019 continues Dec, as the camera then reveals him hanging on the line, pegged up by his hoodie, before Ant is seen fully too and asks for them to be helped down.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m going to be blunt because this \u2018creative direction\u2019 is genuinely sickening and deeply disappointing,\u2019 responded X Factor star Katie Waissel<\/a> underneath the post in the social platform\u2019s comments section<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2018This opening visual of feet suspended above the ground is not a harmless \u2018play on words\u2019, it immediately reads as someone hanging, and the suicide imagery is impossible to ignore.\u2019<\/p>\n

Blasting the marketing concept as thoughtless and careless, she added: \u2018With a platform as large as yours, there is a clear duty to act responsibly. This is entirely foreseeable harm.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"ANT
\n\t\tIt later shows that they are hanging on a clothesline, but many felt it wasn\u2019t clear enough to begin with<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Celebrity
\n\t\tFormer X Factor and Celebrity Big Brother star Katie Waissel criticised the ad as \u2018reckless\u2019 and potentially doing \u2018entirely foreseeable harm\u2019 (pictured in 2016) (Picture: Karwai Tang\/WireImage)<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s triggering, insensitive, and frankly reckless to push out as \u2018entertainment\u2019 when so many families have been devastated by suicide and self-harm.\u2019<\/p>\n

Others agreed and thanked former Celebrity Big Brother contestant Katie for pointing this out, with Amar asking: \u2018Who in their right mind would think showing legs dangling as a start of an advertisement is a good idea?\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018I must admit, that was the first thing I thought of when I saw the feet dangling,\u2019 added Sharon Hopewell while James Ross agreed there was \u2018subliminal messaging\u2019 and Dave called the move \u2018in poor taste\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u2018This needs to be pulled and readdressed immediately,\u2019 added Katie. \u2018You can promote a show without normalising imagery that could genuinely distress people.\u2019<\/p>\n

In a statement issued to Metro from Ant and Dec, the presenters apologised and confirmed the advert had been pulled.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"26\/04\/25
\n\t\tAnt and Dec have apologised and removed the advert (Picture: Ian West\/PA)<\/p>\n

\u2018We 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.\u2019<\/p>\n

The podcast is set to launch on January 22 through their new Belta Box brand, and in it the pair will chat about their lives and take questions and comments from listeners.<\/p>\n

New content for their brand, including classic clips from their careers and \u2018new digital formats\u2019, will also be available across platforms including YouTube<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a> and TikTok<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Got a story?<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n


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