Overview
- Declan Donnelly became visibly emotional while reading a letter to his younger self on the Hanging Out with Ant & Dec podcast, a segment previewed on the duo’s Instagram earlier this week.
- In the passage Donnelly addresses ‘1994 Ant’, telling him to remember he is a great kid and that “it will all be OK,” and urging the pair to look out for each other as he revisits diary entries from 1994.
- Reporters and viewers linked the moment to Ant McPartlin’s previously reported struggles with prescription painkillers and alcohol and his 2018 drink‑driving conviction that led to an £86,000 fine and a 20‑month driving ban.
- Declan has publicly praised Ant’s accountability and recovery this year, telling The Times that Ant took responsibility and made real changes to rebuild his life.
- The clip, released as part of the podcast the pair launched in January, prompted a strong public reaction and renewed media discussion of friendship, recovery and support resources for people with addiction.