Ant McPartlin’s Unique Birthday Gift to Declan Donnelly Leaves Showbiz World in Awe
A Birthday Surprise in the South African Bush
Ant McPartlin, 46 at the time, and Declan Donnelly were in South Africa filming the I’m a Celebrity… All Stars spin-off series, a departure from their usual Australian jungle setting. The new schedule allowed Dec to celebrate his birthday on set for the first time, giving Ant a golden opportunity to pull off a memorable surprise. On September 25, 2022, as Dec turned 47, Ant presented his gift in a video shared on their joint Instagram account, which quickly went viral, racking up thousands of likes and comments from fans and celebrities alike.
The gift was a collection of neatly wrapped portions of biltong, a South African snack made of dried, cured meat, each increasing in size as Dec opened them. The crew, wearing party hats and showering Dec with confetti, added to the festive atmosphere as Ant cheekily handed over the presents under a gazebo near their dressing room. Dec, known for his quick wit, laughed hysterically as he unwrapped the progressively larger biltong packages, joking, “Mate, you’ve outdone yourself with the gourmet theme this year!” Ant captioned the video, “Happy Birthday Dec! We don’t usually get the chance to celebrate Dec’s birthday whilst at #ImACeleb. Hopefully he won’t bite off more than he can chew… #ItsAllGoneBiltong,” a playful nod to the snack’s chewiness and their shared sense of humor.
The showbiz world, from fellow presenters like Holly Willoughby to I’m a Celebrity alumni like Myleene Klass, flooded the comments with praise. Holly wrote, “Only Ant could make biltong a birthday legend! Happy birthday, Dec! 🎉,” while Myleene added, “This is why you two are untouchable. Pure friendship goals! 😍” Fans on X echoed the sentiment, with posts like “Ant’s biltong gift for Dec is the most Ant and Dec thing ever! Showbiz needs more of this! 😲” and “That birthday video had me crying laughing. Ant and Dec are a gift to us all! 🎁” The hashtags #AntAndDecBirthday and #BiltongBonanza trended, underscoring the gift’s impact.
Why the Gift Was So Unique
The biltong gift stood out for its thoughtful simplicity and deep connection to their surroundings and friendship. Unlike extravagant celebrity gifts, Ant’s choice was rooted in the South African culture they were immersed in, making it both personal and contextually perfect. The escalating sizes of the biltong packages added a comedic twist, playing into the duo’s history of pranking each other on birthdays. For instance, in 2021, Dec famously gifted Ant a box labeled “nothing” that was glued shut, leaving Ant fuming and swearing on camera in a moment that became a fan favorite. Ant’s biltong was a clever retaliation, showing he’d learned from Dec’s playbook while keeping the gesture affectionate.
The gift also reflected their ability to find joy in the ordinary, a trait that endears them to audiences. Rather than opting for a flashy present, Ant chose something that sparked laughter and camaraderie, reinforcing their down-to-earth appeal. Showbiz figures admired this authenticity, with Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon commenting, “Ant and Dec remind us that the best gifts come from the heart—and a good laugh! 🙌” The biltong’s cultural tie to South Africa also highlighted their respect for the places they work, adding a layer of thoughtfulness that resonated with global fans watching the All Stars series.
A Friendship That Inspires
The biltong gift was more than a funny moment; it was a testament to the 35-year friendship that began when Ant and Dec met at 13 on the set of Byker Grove in Newcastle. Their bond has weathered Ant’s struggles with addiction and divorce, Dec’s loss of his brother Dermott in 2022, and the pressures of fame. They’ve supported each other through personal milestones, with Dec serving as Ant’s best man at his 2006 wedding to Lisa Armstrong and his 2021 wedding to Anne-Marie Corbett, and Ant reciprocating at Dec’s 2015 wedding to Ali Astall. Their families are intertwined, with Dec naming his son Jack Anthony Alphonsus in 2022 to honor Ant, and Ant naming his daughter Daisy Declan McPartlin in 2025 after Dec.
This history of mutual support made the biltong gift especially poignant. Ant’s choice to celebrate Dec on set, surrounded Laughter surrounded by crew members who’ve become like family, mirrored their shared journey from Newcastle lads to TV icons. Fans on X noted this, with one writing, “Ant’s gift to Dec shows a friendship that’s survived everything. The showbiz world could learn from them! 😲” Another posted, “The biltong was hilarious, but it’s the love behind it that makes Ant and Dec legends. 🎁💖” Their ability to keep their friendship central, even amidst high-profile careers, earned admiration from peers like Simon Cowell, who said, “Ant and Dec are the gold standard for loyalty in this industry.”
A History of Birthday Banter
The biltong gift fits into a tradition of playful birthday exchanges that have become a hallmark of Ant and Dec’s relationship. In 2018, Ant trolled Dec’s 43rd birthday with a Twitter post of Dec posing behind a flamenco dress, captioned “Happy Birthday from the big one to the little one!”—a jab at their height difference. Dec retaliated in 2018 for Ant’s 43rd birthday with a photo of them dressed as Marge and Homer Simpson, captioned “Happy Birthday Homer. Love, Marge x.” In 2019, Ant reused the Marge Simpson snap for Dec’s 44th, writing, “You’re welcome Declan!! Love the slightly bigger fella, A.” These exchanges, often shared on social media, delight fans for their cheeky humor and glimpse into their off-screen dynamic.
The 2021 prank, where Dec gave Ant a glued-shut box of “nothing” for his 46th birthday, set the stage for Ant’s biltong revenge. The 2022 gift upped the ante by incorporating their filming location, showing Ant’s knack for one-upping Dec while keeping the gesture meaningful. This back-and-forth has become a beloved ritual, with fans eagerly awaiting each birthday to see how they’ll top the previous year. The showbiz world admires this consistency, with This Morning host Dermot O’Leary noting, “Ant and Dec’s birthday gags are a masterclass in keeping it real. They never lose that spark.”
Impact on Fans and the Industry
The biltong gift’s viral success—amassing millions of views across Instagram and X—highlighted Ant and Dec’s unique ability to connect with audiences. Fans praised the gift’s authenticity, with one X user writing, “Ant’s biltong for Dec is why they’re untouchable. No ego, just pure mateship! 😲” Another commented, “The showbiz world needs more Ant and Dec moments like this. That gift was everything! 🎁” The moment also inspired other celebrities to share lighthearted tributes, with Strictly Come Dancing star Stacey Dooley posting, “Ant and Dec’s birthday vibes are the goal. Gotta step up my gift game! 😄”
In the industry, the gift reinforced Ant and Dec’s reputation as presenters who prioritize friendship over fame. Their peers admire their ability to remain grounded, a rarity in showbiz. I’m a Celebrity co-star Paul Burrell said, “Ant’s gift to Dec shows why they’re loved worldwide. It’s not about money—it’s about meaning.” The biltong moment also boosted interest in the All Stars series, with fans citing the birthday video as a reason to tune in for behind-the-scenes glimpses of their chemistry.
A Legacy of Laughter and Love
Ant McPartlin’s biltong birthday gift to Declan Donnelly was a masterstroke of humor and heart, earning admiration from the showbiz world for its creativity and authenticity. Rooted in their South African adventure and their decades-long friendship, the gift captured why Ant and Dec remain unrivaled in entertainment. As they continue to host Britain’s Got Talent and I’m a Celebrity, and navigate fatherhood—Ant with Wilder and Daisy, Dec with Isla, Jack, and Alfie—their bond only grows stronger. The biltong may have been chewed through, but the memory of this unique gift will linger, a reminder of a friendship that inspires millions. Here’s to Ant and Dec, and the many more birthday surprises to come.
