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Ant and Dec Apologize After Controversial Podcast Promo

1/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, known as Ant and Dec, faced backlash over a promotional video for their podcast Hanging Out With Ant and Dec featuring ominous imagery of shoes and jeans.
Mental health advocate Katie Waissel condemned the clip as reckless and said the presenters have responsibility.
Following the criticism, the hosts deleted the video and apologized for unintentionally offending.
The podcast is scheduled to launch on January 22.

History

Historical Context

The #MeToo movement, which gained traction in 2017, was spearheaded by activists like Tarana Burke and Alyssa Milano, mobilizing millions to demand accountability in media representation. This ongoing scrutiny was highlighted by backlash against Ant and Dec's promotional video, reflecting the movement's influence on public discourse and the media's responsibility towards mental health and societal norms.

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Story summary

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, known as Ant and Dec, faced backlash over a promotional video for their podcast Hanging Out With Ant and Dec featuring ominous imagery of shoes and jeans.
Mental health advocate Katie Waissel condemned the clip as reckless and said the presenters have responsibility.
Following the criticism, the hosts deleted the video and apologized for unintentionally offending.
The podcast is scheduled to launch on January 22.

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