Ant McPartlin has said that hosting the Brit Awards is one job he would not be keen to repeat alongside long-time collaborator Declan Donnelly. Speaking on their podcast, Hanging Out with Ant & Dec, the pair discussed the music ceremony ahead of its return this Saturday, when it will be held in Manchester for the first time. They previously presented the awards on three occasions and appeared relieved not to be hosting this year’s event.
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McPartlin said the evening is enjoyable for nominees but far more demanding for presenters, suggesting that most attendees are more focused on celebrating than following a tightly run show. He noted that while being nominated had once been a positive experience for them, hosting brought different pressures, including managing a lively audience while keeping the broadcast on track.
The duo first met as child actors on the CBBC drama Byker Grove before launching a pop career as PJ & Duncan in the 1990s. They were nominated for best British newcomer at the 1995 Brit Awards but lost out to Oasis. McPartlin added that hosting also involved dealing with last-minute changes, as artists who had agreed to interviews often withdrew once the event began.
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This year’s ceremony will be hosted by Jack Whitehall and will take place at Co-op Live. Performers are set to include Harry Styles, Raye, Olivia Dean, Mark Ronson and Wolf Alice, as the awards return with a high-profile line-up.
