Television personality Declan Donnelly has candidly confessed that his attempt at a sober start to 2026 was abruptly cut short after merely seven days, attributing his early exit from dry January to an exceptionally demanding week of parenting his two young children.
Podcast Launch Reveals Family Pressures
The beloved presenter, best known as one half of the iconic duo Ant and Dec, made the revelation during the inaugural episode of their freshly launched podcast, Hanging Out with Ant and Dec. Donnelly, who shares daughter Isla, aged seven, and son Jack, three, with his wife Ali Astall, opened up about the intense realities of raising a young family.
The father-of-two described how the return to school routine after the Christmas holidays failed to bring the anticipated calm, instead leaving his children in what he humorously termed a "feral" state throughout the entire first week back.
A Weekend That Broke the Resolution
Dec explained that the culmination of this challenging week was a weekend he bluntly labelled a "disaster." The stress and exhaustion ultimately led him to forsake his dry January pledge on the Saturday evening.
"So I was going to do dry January," Donnelly admitted on the podcast. "In the end, Saturday night, put them to bed and opened a bottle of wine."
His co-host and longtime friend, Ant McPartlin—who has been sober for nearly eight years following a 2018 drink-driving incident—responded with sarcastic praise, saying, "Well done you... I'm very proud of you." McPartlin, a father to an 18-month-old son and two stepdaughters, later conceded that Dec's decision was "understandable."
Balancing Family Life and Friendship
The conversation also touched upon how their respective parenting responsibilities have impacted their famous partnership. Donnelly noted that their young families now consume significant amounts of their time and energy, limiting their opportunities to spend time together outside of work.
"The little ones especially take up a lot of time and effort and energy," Dec reflected. "I love them dearly but they do take up a lot of time."
Health Goals Remain for 2026
Despite abandoning the alcohol-free month, Donnelly was quick to assert that his broader New Year's resolution to get "fit and healthy" in 2026 remains firmly intact. He clarified that while dry January is off the table, his commitment to personal wellness persists.
The podcast episode provided a rare glimpse into the domestic lives of the two national treasures, blending humour with honest discussion about parental stress. It follows recent comments from Dec, who publicly praised Ant's personal transformation and dedication to sobriety in the face of past challenges.
The launch of Hanging Out with Ant and Dec marks a new venture for the presenting pair, offering fans a more informal and personal audio format to connect with the stars.
