Ant and Dec's off-screen antics exposed as BGT icon makes surprise confession

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Ashley Banjo has lifted the lid on what Ant and Dec are like off camera.

It's safe to say the 36-year-old Dancing on Ice judge knows the Geordie duo very well indeed - considering he met them on Britain's Got Talent back in 2009. Ashley and his dazzling dance troupe Diversity famously won the third series of the show, which Ant and Dec have hosted for years.

Ashley, who has partnered with Sky TV on Sky's voice control campaign, says Ant and Dec's shenanigans don't stop when the cameras aren't rolling. He says they have to "reign it in" when they're on-air, but when they're not they're prone to a laughing fit or two.

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Speaking to Daily Star, he said: "When Ant and Dec start laughing, people notice about them on camera but they've still got like a time to hit or a link to do, so they kind of reign it in. When they're off camera, when they can't stop laughing, it's so infectious."

Ashley was full of praise for the pair, who he insists are "such good guys" and have supported their projects. He went on: "I feel like Ant and Dec are just legendary. Honestly, I think they are masterful, they're such good guys. Been able to support a couple of the things that we've done over the years."

However, what some people might not know is just how good the duo actually are at dancing. In fact, Ashley reckons they're good enough movers to get a spot in Diversity. "We've danced with them [Ant and Dec] quite a few times now," said Ashley.

"Honestly, they could be in Diversity, I'm not even joking. We know how good performers they are but they're really good dancers, too." Long-term fans of the I'm A Celeb hosts will remember when Ant and Dec had their pop career as PJ and Duncan, but they've also danced with Diversity on several occasions, including on Britain's Got Talent.

And sometimes, for Ant at least, it doesn't quite go to plan. Fans of the ITV talent show will remember when poor Ant fell flat on his back during the live BGT semi-final last year, while attempting a move with Dec, Ashley and the rest of the Diversity boys.

And Ashley, who helped Ant back to his feet after the slip, has revealed Ant was "in pain" afterwards but Dec found it so funny that he couldn't stop laughing, even after they cut to a break. "I do think my favourite Ant and Dec story is just Ant falling flat on his back [BGT live semi-finals]," recalls Ashley.

"The funny bit about that was when we cut to the break, he was in pain and Dec was in hysterics. I could not breathe for laughing! I think that for me is still my favourite Ant and Dec story."

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Diversity stars Ashley and Jordan Banjo have teamed up with Sky to recreate some of TV's most iconic phrases in the last year. Sky has revealed a list of the most memorable TV quotes and added a selection into Sky TV's voice control glossary, so viewers can access their favourite programmes by quoting lines from the shows.

Ashley said of Sky's voice command campaign: "We were part of such a big wave of television with the competition shows like Got Talent and The X Factor era, so obviously when we were asked to take part in something that represented iconic phrases and TV moments it just felt like fun. We just think it's a great campaign and it represents telly in a really fun way, so we were sold."

Asked which TV quote he thought should be added to the glossary, he chose Simon Cowell's iconic way of putting BGT acts through to the next round - "you've got four yeses".

Top 10 Most Iconic TV Phrases of the Year:

(October 2023-2024)

1. Gladiators ready – Gladiators 2024 (19%)

2. I am a Faithful – Traitors (15%)

3. Sent from iPhone - Baby Reindeer (14%)

4. Give Over! – Brassic (12%)

5. Be honest – Beckham (12%)

6. I think I love you - Love is Blind (10%)

7. Yes Chef! - The Bear (9%)

8. I’m the daddy - I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here (9%)

9. Dearest gentle reader – Bridgerton (8%)

10. No war so bloody as a war between dragons - House of the Dragon (7%)