Popular television presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have issued a public apology after a promotional video for their new podcast was criticised as being in 'very poor taste' and potentially harmful to those struggling with their mental health.
Video Deemed 'Horrendous' and 'Triggering'
The now-deleted clip, shared on the duo's social media channels on 17 January 2026, was intended to promote their forthcoming podcast, 'Hanging Out With Ant and Dec'. However, its opening shot featured a close-up image of Declan Donnelly's feet appearing to be suspended in mid-air, a visual that numerous viewers immediately found distressing.
The video then cut to a more light-hearted scene showing the pair hanging from a washing line. A dialogue exchange saw Dec ask "Did you agree to this?" to which Ant replied "No, I thought this was your idea." Dec then stated, "This is not what we meant by hanging out," as Ant pleaded, "Can someone get us down please?" The clip concluded with the announcement that their new podcast would launch on 22 January on their Belta Box YouTube channel.
Swift Public Backlash Leads to Removal
The reaction on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram was rapid and severe. Followers expressed deep concern that the imagery could be deeply upsetting, particularly for individuals who have experienced suicidal thoughts or lost loved ones to suicide.
One social media user directly addressed the pair, writing: "Errm you guys are great, but this video is horrendous. Come on, surely one person during editing could see how triggering the start would be to some people. Remove it." Another comment highlighted the potential real-world impact: "I'd hate for someone in distress to see this."
Criticism also extended to the creative team behind the advert, with one Instagram user stating: "Whoever thought that having JUST hanging legs and feet as the start of an advertisement is a good idea needs firing." Several comments tagged mental health charities @samaritanscharity and @mindcharity, questioning their view on the promotional material.
Full Apology Issued by Duo
In response to the mounting criticism, Ant and Dec acted swiftly. The video was removed from all platforms, and the pair released a formal apology statement.
Their statement read: "We did not mean to cause any offence with this promo video and we are sorry if it has upset anyone. We have taken on board the comments and have deleted the video."
The incident occurred just a day after the Geordie presenters announced their new digital content venture, Belta Box. The platform, which has repurposed their official Saturday Night Takeaway Instagram and YouTube pages, is set to house new digital projects alongside the controversial podcast.
This episode serves as a stark reminder to public figures and marketing teams of the critical need for sensitivity, particularly regarding imagery associated with mental health and suicide, regardless of the intended humorous context.
