TV duo Ant and Dec fall about in hysterics as they take on speed eating record challenge
Beloved UK TV presenters Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly took on a world record challenge when we stopped by their podcast for a surprise visit.
On the latest episode of their Belta Box pod Hanging Out with Ant and Dec, the duo welcomed a mystery guest who just happened to be Guinness World Records Adjudicator Will Munford.
Peeking round the door Will was waiting behind, Dec gasped and slammed it shut, turning to Ant and saying: “This is exciting!”
Despite his initial excitement that the Will hiding behind the door was his favourite author William Boyd and disappointment that it wasn’t him, Ant was very happy when he noticed the logo on our Will’s blazer.
Dec said: “We know, because you guys have been along to a lot of the show’s we’ve done in the past – Britain’s Got Talent, Saturday Night Takeaway - and we know that when you turn up, something exciting is about to happen.”
Ant added: “It’s normally exciting, and chaotic, and sometimes can be dangerous.”
But don’t worry, we weren’t planning to make Ant and Dec swallow swords or juggle chainsaws or anything like that…
Will explained: “I can confirm that one of you will be attempting a Guinness World Records title today.”
But before they got down to business, GWR superfan Dec took a moment to share his memories of reading the Guinness World Records books as a kid.
Dec said: “Before we get there, can I just state, I am a genuine fan of your work. I used to get the Guinness Book of Records every year for Christmas.
“I used to love it! Christmas night, go through it and just drink in the knowledge from it.”
He added: “I always said that one day I would love to break a world record… so today could be the day.”
Ant and Dec sat completely enthralled as Will shared our origin story with them – check that out here if you don’t know it.
And they even admitted they’d love to host a revival of our old show Record Breakers. Get ITV on the phone immediately!
Read about more famous faces taking on world record attempts in our Arts and Entertainment section.
As they quizzed Will about what sort of records were hotly contested, he told them that speed eating is a big one for us.
“Oh, I’m into that,” Ant said.
“Are you good?” Will asked.
And Ant said: “Well, I’ve never tried it, but I like watching that kind of stuff.”
Funny you should say that, Ant…
Will soon announced that Ant would be taking on an official world record attempt for the most bananas peeled and eaten in one minute.
The record of eight has stood since 2012, when it was broken by Patrick Bertoletti (USA).
After explaining the rules of the record, Ant was presented with a basket of bananas.
He inspected the fruit, laying them out in front of him on the table, and practised peeling one, with Dec teasing him that it was a very “clumsy peel”.
Despite being a self-confessed banana lover who eats at least one every day, even Ant was sceptical about his chances after seeing the sheer amount of food laid out in front of him.
“I’m sweating,” Ant said before he had even started his attempt.
As things kicked off, Ant got off to an unfortunate start when the banana he peeled snapped and fell on to the table, sending Dec into a fit of giggles.
When Will announced 30 seconds was gone, Dec lost it, exclaiming: “Oh my God, he’s done two!”
A hysterical Dec asked “Did he do it?” as the clock ran out and Ant slammed the banana he’d been busy peeling down.
Will declared: “Unfortunately, I did have to discount one of the bananas. You achieved one banana.”
The boys fell about in laughter and Ant joked he felt “ganged up on”.
When Dec asked him what went wrong, Ant said: “I only ate one banana in a minute.”
Ant said he was fired up and wanted to give it another go. Although he still wasn’t confident about breaking the record, he wanted to see how many he could do.
That time, he managed three and promised to practise and come back at a later date to try it again.
We can’t wait!
Ant and Dec also hold the record for most awards won by an individual or duo at the National Television Awards.
They won the Best TV Presenter gong for 24 consecutive years from 2001 to 2024, as well as others for their various TV shows and two special achievement awards.
Hanging Out with Ant and Dec is available to watch and listen to on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all other podcast providers.