Declan Donnelly Biography, Declan Joseph Oliver Donnelly born 25 September 1975 is a British television presenter, producer, former singer, rapper, comedian, and actor. He is best known for his partnership with Ant McPartlin as part of the iconic presenting duo Ant & Dec. Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Donnelly rose to fame alongside McPartlin in the children’s drama Byker Grove. The duo went on to establish highly successful careers as television hosts, with notable roles including co-presenting SMTV Live (1998–2001).
Declan Donnelly Biography 2025
Declan Donnelly, best known as the host of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, has been happily married since 2015 and is a proud father to two children. His career began in the 1980s, when he appeared on Byker Grove, and he’s since become one of the biggest names on British television. Alongside his best friend Ant McPartlin, Dec has presented popular shows such as Saturday Night Takeaway and Britain’s Got Talent. While his professional life has been a major success, Dec’s love life has also made headlines over the years. Though he’s now happily married to Ali Astall, he was once the subject of romantic rumors, including speculation about a potential relationship with a fellow I’m A Celebrity campmate. As the latest series of I’m A Celeb kicks off this weekend, let’s take a look at Declan’s romantic history.
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Declan Donnelly Biography 2025 Details
Born
Declan Joseph Oliver Donnelly
25 September 1975 (age 49)
Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Education
St Michael’s Roman Catholic Primary School
St Cuthbert’s High School
As one half of the legendary duo Ant and Dec, Declan Donnelly continues to captivate audiences with his infectious charm and comedic flair. The Geordie funnyman is a familiar face on our screens, hosting popular shows like I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, Britain’s Got Talent, and Limitless Win.
Declan’s career began in the 1980s when he played Duncan in the hit children’s drama Byker Grove. Since then, he has built an impressive media career, co-presenting some of the UK’s most iconic television shows alongside his best friend and partner-in-crime, Ant McPartlin. As we gear up to see Dec host yet another star-studded ITV show—this time with a line-up that includes Tulisa, Coleen Rooney, and Oti Mabuse—many fans are eager to learn more about the beloved Geordie icon and the story behind his rise to fame.
Donnelly is the son of Alphonsus and Anne Donnelly, who moved from Desertmartin, Northern Ireland, to Newcastle upon Tyne in the 1950s. He was raised in the Cruddas Park area of Newcastle, one of seven children in the family. He attended St Michael’s Roman Catholic Primary School, followed by St Cuthbert’s High School, an all-boys school, where he earned 8 GCSEs. While Donnelly initially considered a career in the Catholic priesthood, he changed his mind after seeing the students from the nearby all-girls Sacred Heart Catholic High School.
How old is Declan Donnelly
Declan Donnelly was born on 25 September 1975, which makes him 48 years old. As a Libra, Dec is associated with balance, fairness, and a strong sense of justice. Libras are also often seen as extroverts, known for their intelligence and ability to persuade others.
Anyone who’s watched Dec alongside Ant McPartlin will know that Dec is slightly shorter than his co-host. Standing at 1.68 meters (5’6″), Dec is a little more compact compared to Ant. Over the years, his height has often been the subject of lighthearted jokes. For instance, during the 2017 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! series, Dec teased footballer Dennis Wise about being “the short one,” only for Ant to reveal that Dec and Dennis were the same height. When Holly Willoughby filled in for Ant in 2018, she jokingly referred to Dec as “short number,” a nickname the crew used for him.
What is Declan Donnelly’s net worth
Given his long and successful career on television, Declan Donnelly has accumulated a substantial net worth, estimated at around £62 million. This includes a lucrative deal he signed with ITV in 2007, reportedly worth £40 million. In addition to his presenting work, Dec and Ant have invested in property, and their shared portfolio is believed to be worth approximately £10 million.
Declan Donnelly married his longtime friend and agent Ali Astall in 2015, after two years of dating. The pair had known each other professionally since 2003, but it wasn’t until 2013 that their relationship turned romantic. Dec has shared that before they were a couple, they would often go out for dinners on Valentine’s Day as friends when neither of them had partners. Dec proposed to Ali in 2014 while they were in Australia for I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!. The couple tied the knot in Dec’s hometown of Newcastle, with his brother, Father Dermot Donnelly, officiating the ceremony. Together, Dec and Ali have two children: a daughter named Isla and a son named Jack.
Declan Donnelly’s television career began when he was just 12 years old. He first gained fame playing Duncan in the popular kids’ show Byker Grove. It was there that he formed a lifelong partnership with Ant McPartlin, who joined the show a year later. The duo’s Byker Grove characters eventually evolved into the music duo PJ & Duncan, and they released hit singles like “Let’s Get Ready to Rhumble,” which earned them a BRIT Award nomination. After leaving Byker Grove, Ant and Dec transitioned into presenting, initially with children’s television shows on BBC, Channel 4, and ITV. In 1995, they dropped their PJ & Duncan personas and began presenting as themselves, Ant and Dec. They hosted SM
