Everyone assumed the beloved TV duo were expanding their property portfolio. But instead, they turned the entire space into the UK’s first free mental health clinic for backstage workers — including interns, runners, and sound techs. But the very first visitor to walk through its doors… had a secret that made Dec burst into tears on live radio.👇🧠❤️
The Haven Behind the Scenes
In the vibrant chaos of London’s media world, where cameras rolled and deadlines loomed, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly—Ant & Dec—were the heartbeat of British television. At 49, their warmth and wit had made them national treasures, but their roots in Newcastle’s working-class grit kept them grounded. In early 2025, rumors buzzed on X that the duo was snapping up a prime property in Soho, assumed to be another addition to their savvy business ventures. But Ant and Dec had other plans. They transformed the space into the UK’s first free mental health clinic for backstage workers—interns, runners, sound techs, and all the unsung heroes of TV production. And it was the first visitor through its doors who brought Dec to tears on live radio.
The idea sparked during a late-night wrap party for Britain’s Got Talent. A young runner, barely 20, confided in Ant about her struggles—crippling anxiety, sleepless nights, and the pressure of long hours for little pay. She wasn’t alone; crew members whispered about burnout, stress, and no affordable way to get help. Ant shared the conversation with Dec, and they reflected on their own journey—how the industry’s grind could wear down even the strongest. They’d seen too many talented people leave, broken by the weight of it all. “We’ve got to do something,” Dec said. Ant nodded. “Something real.”
They quietly purchased a £3.2 million building in Soho, a former office space with good bones. Working with mental health experts, they turned it into “Backstage Haven,” a clinic offering free counseling, therapy groups, and wellness workshops for TV workers. The space had cozy consultation rooms, a meditation lounge, and a café with free coffee to foster community. They funded it through their foundation, “Ant & Dec’s Community Fund,” hiring trained therapists and peer support staff, many of whom had industry experience. They kept it secret, even from their inner circle, wanting the focus to be on the workers, not their fame.
The clinic opened in May 2025, with no fanfare—just a discreet email to production companies inviting staff to drop in. The first visitor was Liam Carter, a 28-year-old sound technician who’d worked on Saturday Night Takeaway. Liam seemed unassuming, booking a session for “stress.” But during his intake, he revealed a secret: he’d been battling suicidal thoughts for years, triggered by a toxic workplace and the loss of his brother, a grip who’d taken his own life after similar struggles. Liam had written to Ant and Dec months earlier, not expecting a reply, sharing his story and his brother’s. It was that letter, tucked in a pile of fan mail, that had pushed the duo to act.
Liam’s session at Backstage Haven was a turning point. His therapist helped him navigate his grief, and he joined a support group for crew members. When Ant and Dec learned he was the first client, they invited him to share his story on their radio show, promising anonymity if he wanted it. Liam agreed to go public, hoping to help others. On air, as he spoke about his brother and how the clinic gave him hope, Dec’s voice cracked. “You’re why we did this, mate,” he said, tears audible. “You’re not alone anymore.” The raw moment silenced the studio, and Ant gripped Dec’s shoulder, steadying him. Listeners flooded X with #BackstageHaven, sharing clips of Dec’s emotional response. “Dec crying for a tech guy? That’s real,” one post read. “This clinic is a game-changer.”
The story broke wide open. Reporters, expecting a property deal, were floored by the £3.2 million clinic and Liam’s story. X users posted, “Ant & Dec built a mental health haven for the people we never see on TV,” and “Liam’s secret broke my heart, but they fixed it.” By autumn 2025, Backstage Haven had served 300 workers, from interns to lighting techs, with a waiting list for its free services. Runners found therapy for anxiety, sound engineers joined mindfulness classes, and interns formed a peer network. The clinic’s café became a hub where crew swapped stories, breaking the industry’s silence on mental health.
Liam became an advocate, speaking at industry events about workplace wellness. He wrote to Ant and Dec, saying, “You saved me, and you’re saving others.” They kept his letter in their office, next to a photo of the clinic’s opening day. Their foundation raised £250,000 in donations to expand services, and they visited the clinic quietly, chatting with clients over coffee, always deflecting praise. “It’s for people like Liam,” Ant said. “They keep the shows running.”
The impact spread. Production companies adopted mental health policies, inspired by Backstage Haven. Crew members shared their struggles openly, reducing stigma. Other clinics modeled on Haven opened in Manchester and Cardiff. At a Britain’s Got Talent taping, Ant and Dec wore lapel pins with a tiny “H” for Haven, a nod to their mission. The crew cheered, knowing the story. Somewhere in Soho, Liam walked into the café, greeted by faces who’d become friends, proof that two Geordie lads and one brave visitor could turn pain into hope.
