Ant and Dec join forces with the Prince’s Trust to help youngsters launch TV careers

Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have joined forces with the Prince’s Trust to help youngsters launch TV careers – both in front of and behind the camera.

The popular presenting duo, both 45, have enjoyed decades of success in the industry and are now hoping to pay it forward with the launch of their campaign.

Their programme – called Ant & Dec’s Making it in Media – will provide hands-on training and a chance to work as a team on a project related to TV production.  

New initiative: (L-R) Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have joined forces with the Prince’s Trust to help youngsters launch TV careers – both in front of and behind the camera

Ant said: ‘Our Making it in Media course with The Prince’s Trust is a real passion project for us and something we’ve wanted to work on for a long time. 

‘There are so many roles in TV and media that young people may have never considered as a career. We want to help young people find out more about the industry.’ 

Dec added: ‘Starting out in the world of work can be challenging at the best of times, but right now it is harder than ever for young people. 

‘We hope this course offers some inspiration, practical skills and experience that young people can take with them into the workplace. 

Where it all began: Ant and Dec first met on the set of classic children's show Byker Grove when they were aged 12. Pictured together on the show back in 1993

Where it all began: Ant and Dec first met on the set of classic children’s show Byker Grove when they were aged 12. Pictured together on the show back in 1993

‘We’re incredibly proud to be partnering with The Prince’s Trust on this and we hope we can help make a difference to some young people’s lives.’  

On Wednesday, Prince Charles made a cheeky jibe at Ant and Dec on BBC’s The One Show, joking that the comedy duo have ‘followed him around’.

The Prince of Wales, 72, made an unexpected appearance on the magazine show to help launch the new joint initiative to help young people get jobs.

After the presenting partners explained a little about the Ant & Dec’s Making it in Media project, they were surprised with the video message.

Loving it: Prince Charles made a cheeky jibe at Ant and Dec during Wednesday's episode of The One Show, joking that the comedy duo have 'followed him around'

Loving it: Prince Charles made a cheeky jibe at Ant and Dec during Wednesday’s episode of The One Show, joking that the comedy duo have ‘followed him around’

Prince Charles told them: ‘I can think of no better duo to help drive this activity than Ant and Dec, who have enjoyed an illustrious career in the media for over 30 years.’

He then teased the duo as raised his eyebrows to say: ‘During that time, they’ve both followed me around, they followed me around while filming a documentary for ITV.’

‘And they’ve also played an incredibly generous part in our annual Prince’s Trust awards event in London. 

‘So thank you, Ant and Dec, more than I can ever say, for all your wonderful efforts on behalf of the young people who will be supported by this project,’ he continued.

Heir he is: The Prince of Wales, 72, made an unexpected appearance on the BBC show to help launch a new joint initiative for young people

Heir he is: The Prince of Wales, 72, made an unexpected appearance on the BBC show to help launch a new joint initiative for young people

Ant and Dec were left very impressed by the special video, with Ant declaring ‘how cool is that’ as soon as the cameras went back to them in the studio.  

The duo’s new initiative launched on Wednesday and sees them wanting to give back to the industry which has given them ‘a fantastic career’. 

Ant explained on the show: ‘We’re launching a charity initiative to get young people into this amazing industry, which is the media industry.

‘So, we launched that today and it’s in conjunction with the Prince’s Trust. It’s not just in front of camera it’s behind the camera as well – sound, lighting cameramen.

Working together: Ant and Dec previously 'followed' the royal while filming a documentary for ITV which aired in 2015 (pictured on When Ant And Dec Met The Prince)

Working together: Ant and Dec previously ‘followed’ the royal while filming a documentary for ITV which aired in 2015 (pictured on When Ant And Dec Met The Prince)

‘If you want to work in this amazing industry that’s been brilliant to over the years then you can get involved and hopefully join us.’

Dec added: ‘Thirty years ago when we started out, we were both given an amazing opportunity when we got parts in Byker Grove and that led to this fantastic career that we’ve had.

‘And we’re very, very grateful for it, but we were two quite normal, unremarkable kids from the west end of Newcastle and we were given an opportunity and we grabbed it with both hands.’

Ant and Dec first met on the set of classic children’s show Byker Grove when they were aged 12. They went on to launch a pop career, before becoming TV hosts. 

'I can think of no better duo to help drive this activity': Prince Charles lavished praise on the presenters and thanked them for all their work with his Prince's Trust organisation

‘I can think of no better duo to help drive this activity’: Prince Charles lavished praise on the presenters and thanked them for all their work with his Prince’s Trust organisation