Ant and Dec sign exclusive £2m ITV deal
Friday, November 6th, 2009
The presenting duo Ant and Dec say they are “delighted” to have signed a new golden handcuffs contract with ITV.
The exclusive contract is reportedly worth £20 million to the pair, representing a 10% cut in pay compared with last year. ITV declined to comment.
“We are delighted to sign with ITV for another two years,” said 33-year-old Anthony McPartlin.
Declan Donnelly, 34, added: “We’re particularly excited about the new media opportunities, which will allow us to make fresh and exciting content for online.”
The hosts of Britain’s Got Talent also revealed they will be presenting a new show, called Push the Button. The games show will pit two families against each other in a series of timed challenges, according to the trade magazine Broadcast, with each episode beginning with Ant and Dec surprising contestants in their own homes.
The duo, who rose to fame as teenage actors on the children’s soap Byker Grove, joined ITV in 1998 on the Saturday morning shows SM:TV Live and CD:UK. They have worked exclusively for the channel since 2000.

Channel 4’s head of programming, Julian Bellamy, has warned of a “culture of compliance” in British television. He said that the industry was becoming less creative, and that there was “less surprise and variety” than there should be.
Today’s digital switchover in North-West England has contributed to a massive rise in the number of dumped analogue TVs, environmental campaigners have said.
The BBC has announced it will tighten up the procedure for dealing with complaints about party election broadcasts, in anticipation of an outcry from viewers over airtime given to the British National Party ahead of next year’s general election.
X-Factor judge Simon Cowell has said he is “praying” that Irish twins John and Edward Grimes do not win the final of the talent contest.
Alexandra Burke has denied claims that X-Factor contestants are urged to cry on the show in order to attract the audience’s sympathy.
Peter Andre and Kate Thornton have been confirmed as guest presenters for this Friday’s episode of This Morning - a Halloween special featuring a children’s fashion show.
Gordon Brown has indicated he is willing to take part in a series of television and radio debates ahead of the general election.
Ofcom today fined Channel TV £80,000 for breaking broadcasting rules during the British Comedy Awards in 2004 and 2005.