Ant and Dec have referenced the 'queuegate' scandal involving Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield during the latest episode of their podcast, Hanging Out with Ant and Dec. The duo joked about jumping the queue to see the Bayeux tapestry at the British Museum, drawing laughter and a pointed remark from Dec about TV presenters skipping queues.
The conversation began as the pair discussed the tapestry, which has recently arrived at the British Museum. Dec noted that tickets have been very popular, making it difficult to see the exhibit. 'It's the first time in nearly 1,000 years it's been in the UK,' he said. 'You've got to go and see it.'
Joking About Queue-Jumping
The I'm a Celebrity hosts agreed to visit the tapestry together, after lightly mocking the French, but expressed concern about the crowds. 'A lot of people [are] gonna go see it,' said Dec, prompting Ant to address the British Museum directly: 'If anyone from the British Museum is watching this podcast… in their downtime. Can you get us in?'
Ant continued, 'I'd like to jump the queue.' Dec, laughing, responded, 'I'm not sure about TV presenters skipping queues. I don't think that's going to end well.' The pair laughed as Ant said, 'What could possibly go wrong?' before Dec added, 'I'm not sure that's a great idea.'
Reference to Holly and Phil's Controversy
The joke was widely seen as a nod to the controversy that engulfed Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield in September 2022, when they were accused of skipping the queue to see the Queen lying in state at Westminster Hall. This Morning bosses issued a statement insisting the pair did not skip the queue and were there to report on the event as media.
Holly later addressed the backlash, explaining: 'The rules were that we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back. In contrast, those paying their respects walked along a carpeted area beside the coffin and were given time to pause. None of the journalists and broadcasters there took anyone's place in the queue, and no one filed past the Queen.' She added, 'We, of course, respected those rules; however, we realise that it may have looked like something else and therefore totally understand the reaction.'
Civilian Version of I'm a Celebrity
During the same podcast episode, Ant and Dec also discussed the possibility of a civilian version of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! Dec said, 'I think it would be great.' Ant elaborated, 'On I'm A Celebrity, you don't always know the celebrities, and part of the joy is getting to know them, night after night after night, and then end up liking or loathing them at the end. So with I'm A Civilian Get Me Out Of Here, you won't know anything about anyone and you'll just get to know them all, as you do in Big Brother, and you'll have your favourites by the end of it. I think we should definitely do a version of it one year.'
Hanging Out with Ant and Dec is released every Thursday, with extra bonus episodes on Mondays. The podcast's latest episode is available now.
