Ant and Dec's BGT Exit Threat Over Cowell's Tardiness
Britain's Got Talent stalwarts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have disclosed they came perilously close to quitting the hit ITV talent show following a series of fractious backstage disputes. The primary grievance cited was head judge Simon Cowell's persistent and chronic lateness, which pushed the presenting duo to the brink of departure.
A Make-or-Break Transatlantic Confrontation
Appearing on the latest episode of the podcast Stick To Football, the pair recounted how their disillusionment peaked in 2012. Feeling their roles were diminishing and the commitment was no longer worthwhile, they embarked on a decisive trip to Los Angeles for a face-to-face showdown with Cowell.
"We went to LA to see him to tell him we were going to leave Britain's Got Talent because we weren't having a very nice time," Donnelly, 50, revealed. "We were in the show less and less. It's taking up a lot of our time, we're not really in the show, we might as well leave and put our energies elsewhere."
McPartlin, also 50, described the context of the meeting, stating they confronted Cowell during a period where "he was always late and going through this phase where he would never turn up on time."
Cowell's Charm Offensive and a Ticklish Promise
Despite the tension, both presenters acknowledged Cowell's redeeming qualities. "He's a really charming bloke with a great sense of humour," McPartlin said. "He's funny, generous, and we get on well with him. We've always had a good relationship because we're quite honest, and I think he appreciates that."
The LA lunch meeting took a dramatic turn. According to Donnelly, Cowell's response was immediate and emphatic: "Oh well, no you can't leave, and I'll turn up on time, and we'll make sure that you're featured more and that you’ll have more fun with it."
In a surreal moment, Cowell then "leaned over in the restaurant in the middle of LA and started tickling me, going 'you will never leave me'," Donnelly added.
"With Both Barrels": The Full Account
The duo had previously detailed this pivotal confrontation in their 2020 autobiography, Once Upon A Tyne. McPartlin recalled they "let him have it with both barrels," telling Cowell everything—that they felt underused, could be pursuing other projects, and that perhaps new presenters were needed.
"To be fair to Simon, he sat there, took it all and listened intently for four, maybe five cigarettes," McPartlin noted.
Donnelly confirmed Cowell made a solemn vow: "He made a promise to us that things would change and that we'd never feel like that again. He desperately wanted us to stay... and, to be fair to him, he was as good as his word. Things did change."
Looking Ahead to Series Nineteen
This behind-the-scenes drama stands in stark contrast to the show's current trajectory. Ant and Dec are now confirmed to return as hosts for the nineteenth series of Britain's Got Talent this February. They will be joined by the resident judging panel of Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and the newest addition, YouTube star KSI, as they scour the nation for the next big act.
Personal Happiness and a Sober Future
In a separate, more personal reflection, Ant McPartlin recently opened up about finding profound contentment after a turbulent period. Following a "tough" drink-driving ordeal in 2018 that resulted in a record £86,000 fine and threatened his career, McPartlin has embraced sobriety.
"Turning 50 for me was great because my early forties was a really tough time," he told The Times. "These last few years, it's the happiest I've been in a long, long time. What changes as you get older, especially being sober as well, for me, is the purpose."
The father-of-one, who welcomed his first child with wife Anne-Marie in 2024, appears to have found a new equilibrium, both on-screen and off.
