For over three decades, Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have been the cheeky, dependable constants of British TV. From their Geordie teen soap days on Byker Grove to their multi-award-winning presenting streak, they’ve gone from cult Saturday morning hosts to the faces of some of ITV’s biggest prime-time shows. And with that level of career consistency comes serious money.
Today, Ant and Dec are among the wealthiest TV personalities in the UK, with each reportedly worth well over £60 million. They’ve built this fortune through a mix of golden handcuff deals with ITV, multiple hit shows, savvy business ventures, and a production company that ensures they earn from the programmes they front. But how exactly did two Newcastle lads go from PJ and Duncan to millionaires many times over? Let’s break down the journey.
How much are Ant & Dec worth?
Recent estimates suggest that Ant and Dec each have a net worth of around £62 million, giving them a combined wealth of roughly £124 million. This figure includes their personal earnings, their investments, their company holdings, and their extensive property portfolios. Their enduring appeal means that their income streams have remained solid for decades—something rare in the entertainment industry.
Reports from 2024 placed their wealth at a similar level, noting that their ITV contracts alone have been worth tens of millions over the years. In fact, their latest deal with the broadcaster is rumoured to be worth £40 million over three years, with potential to rise to £50 million if extended. This contract covers all their major ITV projects, from I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! to Britain’s Got Talent and Saturday Night Takeaway.
How they became successful
Ant and Dec’s success has been a gradual but steady climb. They first met as teenagers while acting on Byker Grove, where they played PJ and Duncan. Their on-screen chemistry was obvious, and it wasn’t long before they took their partnership beyond acting, trying their hand at pop music. Their novelty single “Let’s Get Ready to Rhumble” became a 90s guilty pleasure and even topped the charts again years later when they performed it on Saturday Night Takeaway.
After their music days wound down, they moved into children’s television, presenting SMTV Live and CD:UK. This period honed their presenting skills and gave them a loyal fan base who grew up with them. By the early 2000s, they’d successfully transitioned to prime-time TV, hosting Pop Idol, I’m a Celebrity, and later Britain’s Got Talent. Each new show cemented them further as the kings of light entertainment.
Their career strategy has always been about working together, picking projects with long-term potential, and diversifying where possible. They’re not just presenters—they’re also producers through their company Mitre Television, which means they have a stake in the success of shows they appear on. That combination of on-screen and behind-the-scenes roles has been key to their financial growth.
Ant and Dec’s companies
One of the biggest contributors to Ant & Dec’s net worth is their series of “golden handcuff” deals with ITV. These exclusive contracts ensure they front the network’s flagship entertainment programmes and keep them from jumping to rival broadcasters. The sums have been huge—back in 2007, they signed a deal reported at £30–40 million, followed by a £30 million agreement in 2016. Their current contract, agreed in recent years, is worth around £40 million, potentially rising to £50 million.
Their companies are also extremely profitable. Dec’s firm, Deecourt, has been reported to hold over £35 million in cash and investments, while Hurley Promotions—jointly owned with Ant—is valued at over £2.7 million. These business entities allow them to manage their TV income alongside investments, property dealings, and other ventures, keeping their earnings diversified and tax-efficient.
While TV is their primary earner, they’ve also boosted their profile through advertising campaigns, from bank commercials to supermarket endorsements, further padding their income.
Lifestyle and personal wealth management
Despite their multi-million-pound fortunes, Ant and Dec are known for keeping a relatively grounded image. Yes, they own luxury homes—Ant has a property in London’s chic Wimbledon area, while Dec has a home in Chiswick—but they aren’t known for excessive displays of wealth. They also own properties back in the North East and reportedly invest in real estate as part of their wealth management.
Their lifestyles reflect success without extravagance. They’ve both spoken about the importance of stability and long-term planning, which likely explains how they’ve maintained their financial standing over such a long career. They’re also active in charity work, supporting causes like the Sunshine Fund and ChildLine.
The Ant and Dec legacy
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Ant and Dec have won the National Television Award for Best Presenter an astonishing 23 years in a row—a Guinness World Record. Their brand is built on trust, chemistry, and a unique ability to connect with audiences across generations. Very few presenters manage to keep their popularity intact for decades, let alone maintain peak earning power while doing it.
From their early 90s debut to their current status as prime-time staples, they’ve proven that in the right partnership, consistency can be just as powerful as reinvention.
Ant & Dec Net Worth Timeline – From Byker Grove to Multi-Millionaires
Early 1990s – Byker Grove Beginnings
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly first crossed paths on the BBC teen drama Byker Grove. At this stage, they were earning modest acting salaries—enough to get by as teenagers in the industry, but a world away from their later fortunes. Their friendship began here, laying the foundations for a career-long partnership.
Mid-1990s – PJ & Duncan Pop Duo
After leaving Byker Grove, the pair launched a music career under their character names, PJ and Duncan. Their debut single, “Tonight I’m Free,” was followed by their biggest hit, “Let’s Get Ready to Rhumble.” While they enjoyed chart success and earned healthy royalties, this was more about building fame than serious wealth.
Late 1990s – Children’s TV Stars
By the end of the decade, Ant & Dec had moved into children’s presenting with SMTV Live and CD:UK. These jobs paid better than acting or music had, and they became household names with younger audiences. Their income began to climb steadily, giving them financial security for the first time.
Early 2000s – Prime-Time Breakthrough
The real money started rolling in when they transitioned to prime-time ITV shows like Pop Idol and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Their presenting fees were now in the hundreds of thousands per series, and their appeal stretched across all age groups.
Mid-2000s – First Golden Handcuff Deal with ITV
In 2007, they signed one of their first blockbuster contracts with ITV, reported at £30–40 million. This gave them long-term financial stability and guaranteed work on flagship shows for years to come. Their annual earnings moved into the millions.
2010s – Production and Business Expansion
They founded Mitre Television to produce their own shows, ensuring they earned behind the camera as well as in front of it. Additional deals, including another £30 million agreement in 2016, kept their net worth climbing rapidly.
2020s – £40 Million+ ITV Contract and Peak Earnings
Their most recent three-year ITV deal, reportedly worth £40 million and possibly rising to £50 million, is the most lucrative of their careers. Dec’s company Deecourt holds over £35 million, while Hurley Promotions adds a few million more. Today, their individual fortunes stand at around £62 million each.
FAQs on Ant and Dec's net worth
Their combined net worth is estimated at around £124 million, with each holding roughly £62 million in assets and earnings.
Their current ITV deal is said to be worth £40 million over three years, potentially rising to £50 million if extended. This contract covers their major shows like I’m a Celebrity, Britain’s Got Talent, and Saturday Night Takeaway.
Yes. Dec’s company, Deecourt, has over £35 million in cash and investments, while Hurley Promotions, which they own together, is valued at over £2.7 million. They also operate Mitre Television, which produces many of the shows they present.
They first worked together on the BBC teen drama Byker Grove. After leaving the show, they transitioned to music as PJ and Duncan, and later to presenting children’s TV on SMTV Live.
They’ve won the award every year since 2001, making it 23 consecutive wins.