In the clip, Declan, 46, struggled to keep his composure as he spoke directly to his younger self, urging him to cherish the bond he shares with Ant. The letter comes against the backdrop of Ant, 50, having faced some of the darkest moments in his life — battling alcohol and prescription drug addictions, hitting rock bottom after a drink-driving conviction in 2018, and gradually clawing his way back to sobriety and stability.

The podcast episode, which drops at 6pm on Belta Box’s YouTube channel, sees Declan share his final diary entry from 1994, detailing the excitement and nerves of moving into a new house with Ant after weeks on tour as their music duo PJ and Duncan. He then turns to the letter, speaking directly to the 19-year-old version of himself: “Dear Declan, it’s from me, you, from the future. From 2026, sounds exciting right?”

He goes on to explain that although the world isn’t yet filled with hover cars, robot servants, or space colonies, the letter is meant to reassure him and remind him of the importance of the friendships, choices, and adventures ahead. Declan recounts rediscovering the diary, reflecting on moments both thrilling and overwhelming, and noting how life would never quite return to the innocence of those early days.

“You think you’re off on a little adventure with Ant for a few weeks, but you don’t yet realise that you’ve both pretty much left home and life as you know it will never be the same,” he says. “I don’t want to spoil too much of what comes next — you need to live those highs, those lows, and learn the lessons that will shape you into the person you are today.”

Declan’s advice to his younger self is a mix of practical tips and heartfelt wisdom. He urges him to seize every opportunity, give his all, and treasure the friendships that will endure through thick and thin. “Lots of people will come and go,” he says, his voice thick with emotion, “but the real friendships — the ones like yours with Ant — will last. Don’t take them for granted. They must be nurtured.”

He also encourages his younger self to pause and appreciate life’s simple pleasures, to not get caught up in anxieties, and to share his successes with family. “Get home as much as you can,” he says. “Your family have given you the best star in life. You’ll miss them and Newcastle more than you know, but they’ll always be there for you. Appreciate them while you can.”

There’s even some comic relief in the letter, with Declan advising his younger self to splurge on a hair dryer — a reminder of the little things that matter in the grand sweep of life. He signs off with love and encouragement: “Say hi to 1994 Ant for me. Tell him to remember he’s a great kid, and it will all be OK. Even when it feels like it won’t. Look out for each other, enjoy the ride, and hey, respect guys. Love from future Dec.”

Ant’s journey has been no less dramatic. Following his drink-driving conviction, which resulted in a record £86,000 fine — reportedly the highest ever for such an offence in the UK — he quit drinking and embraced sobriety. Before that, he’d spent time in rehab in 2017 after admitting he had become addicted to prescription drugs following a knee operation. The TV star stepped away from the public eye, enduring a tough year that included separation from his first wife, Lisa Armstrong, and a pause in his career when ITV cancelled Saturday Night Takeaway to allow him to enter residential rehab.

Now, Ant has found stability and happiness with wife Anne-Marie Corbett, who has been a rock throughout his recovery. The couple tied the knot in 2021 and are parents to son Wilder, two, as well as Anne-Marie’s teenage daughters Poppy and Daisy from a previous marriage. Ant openly credits her with helping him stay sober, calling her his “lifesaver” and reflecting on the purpose and joy he has found in recent years.

Declan, meanwhile, has expressed immense admiration for the resilience Ant has shown. In an interview with The Times, he praised his friend for taking responsibility, confronting challenges head-on, and emerging not just as his old self, but a better version of the man he was before.

Reflecting on their decades-long partnership, the pair’s bond appears stronger than ever. The emotional podcast clip shows just how deeply they value one another — and how moments of reflection, like writing to a younger self, can bring into sharp focus the trials, triumphs, and true connections that define a life well-lived.

Through tears and laughter, Declan’s letter is a moving reminder of the enduring power of friendship, the importance of facing life’s highs and lows with courage, and the beauty of looking back while still moving forward. Ant and Dec’s story, full of drama, heartbreak, and redemption, is a testament to the fact that even when life throws the darkest challenges your way, love, friendship, and determination can carry you through.