Ant and Dec Near £30 Million Three-Year ITV Golden Handcuffs Deal

Ant and Dec are reportedly finalizing a £30 million 'golden handcuffs' deal with ITV to extend their contracts for another three years, coinciding with their 50th birthdays this autumn. This move aims to secure the duo's continued presence on flagship shows including I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, Britain's Got Talent, and Limitless Win, amid increasing competition from streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ that have been actively recruiting ITV talent. ITV executives view the deal as a valuable investment to retain two of the network's most beloved and successful presenters while preventing counter-bids from streaming rivals. The contract reflects ITV's strategic effort to maintain dominance in light entertainment as the industry shifts towards streaming services. Ant and Dec, who have been television staples since their days on Byker Grove, are expected to announce the deal officially in the New Year after their current contract expires. The deal also underscores ITV's broader plans to secure long-term commitments for popular shows, including efforts to extend I'm a Celebrity's Australian jungle location for up to five years.