Declan Donnelly shows off 50th birthday gifts from Ant McPartlin in South Africa

Declan Donnelly celebrated his 50th birthday with a lighthearted reveal of his gifts from Ant McPartlin, sharing a playful Instagram clip from their current trip to Cape Town. The TV presenter marked the milestone while the Ant and Dec duo prepare for a spin-off surrounding I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, with the brothers-in-arms posting cheerful updates during their South Africa stay that has included moments away from the London red carpet. The clip underscores the pair’s long-running on-screen rapport as they balance work duties with a birthday celebration far from home, including a nod to Milan Fashion Week in a lighthearted, showbiz moment.

In the video, Dec appears delighted as he tries on a shirt printed with pictures of his beloved dog Rocky. The gift is described as a Donnelly–Rocky collaboration, intended to keep the pup close even while Dec is in Africa. Ant also gifted a second top, printed with Ant’s own face, explaining that it might help the public stop mixing up their names. The clip shows Dec strolling around a garden in the Rocky shirt, clearly enjoying the moment as he winks to the camera and milks the playful setup for social media.

Ant shared his own birthday tribute to Dec earlier in the day, posting a snap of the two friends enjoying time together. The caption read, in part: "Happy Birthday to the littler one from the only slightly bigger one. Love ya! X" The affectionate post underscored the longtime friendship that has underpinned their television partnership for decades, even as they work through a busy travel schedule that includes the I’m A Celebrity format’s South African leg.

The birthday celebrations come as the duo have navigated a recent setback at the National Television Awards. In a ceremony that saw Gary Lineker take the Best Presenter trophy, Ant and Dec acknowledged the loss with characteristic humor. They had previously shared a tongue-in-cheek TikTok video joking about trading British drizzle for South African sunshine, quipping, “Absolutely gutted we traded British drizzle for South African sunshine,” and added, “We’re really going through it here guys…” while playfully pretending to cry. The pair also commented on Lineker’s win, noting that they had been “beaten by an up and coming new guy.”

The evening’s joking tone contrasted with a brief, nostalgic nod to the duo’s earlier collaborations. In a 2009 festive special, Ant and Dec posted a throwback image of themselves dressed as Batman and Robin, with Gary Lineker cast as The Penguin. The trio even teased the moment on social media, captioning it, "Congratulations Gary Lineker or should we say our old nemesis The Penguin." The moment reflected the long-running, lighthearted dynamic that has defined their public persona, even as they compete for high-profile awards.

At the NTAs, Lineker delivered a speech that put the emphasis on the competition and on the recognition he received. The former footballer, who left Match of the Day under tight scrutiny earlier in the year, told the audience, “Blimey, I’ve won the Ant and Dec trophy. Thank you, thank you to everyone who voted for me, hugely appreciated. It’s amazing.” The exchange highlighted the colorful, ongoing banter that has become a hallmark of the British entertainment scene, particularly around the NTAs, where fans and colleagues alike watch for the cheeky rivalries and camaraderie that define the industry.

As Declan and Ant continue their South Africa run, the birthday gifts have already provided a memorable moment in Dec’s milestone year. The gifts offer a glimpse into the duo’s off-screen rapport and the way they sprinkle personal touches into their professional performances, whether on Instagram or on stage at awards shows. With I’m A Celebrity’s South African twist continuing to unfold, the duo’s fans can expect more of their characteristic humor, warmth, and mutual support as they navigate their responsibilities, celebrate friendships, and mark new chapters in their long-running collaboration.