Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have sparked a relatable discussion after sharing their thoughts on people playing music out loud in public places.
Speaking on their Ant and Dec’s Hanging Out podcast, the much-loved presenting duo were asked how they feel about people listening to music on their phones without using headphones.
Both agreed that it can be frustrating, but Dec had a recent example that made the issue feel especially familiar to parents.
He recalled taking his three-year-old son Jack to a playgroup, where the children were playing indoors while parents sat outside. Many of the adults were using the time to catch up on emails, work or simply have a quiet moment.
According to Dec, one parent began playing chart music directly from her phone for everyone around her to hear. He said he found it rude because the other parents had not chosen to listen to it.
For Dec, the problem was not the music itself, but the lack of consideration in a shared space. He suggested that personal playlists should stay personal when other people are trying to concentrate or relax nearby.
Ant agreed, saying he also finds it annoying when people play music loudly on buses or trains without headphones. However, he admitted there are some situations where music can add to the atmosphere, such as walking through a busy town centre.
Even so, both presenters felt that a children’s playgroup, especially one where parents are quietly working or waiting, is a very different setting.
The conversation also showed how much music means to Ant. He joked that if he had to choose between giving up television, films, books or music, music would be the one thing he could not live without.
Away from the light-hearted debate, Dec has recently spoken warmly about fatherhood, describing raising his children as the greatest achievement of his life. He shares daughter Isla and son Jack with his wife Ali Astall.
Ant also became a father to son Wilder with wife Anne-Marie Corbett and is stepfather to her two daughters.
For both presenters, family life is now a huge part of their world. But on this everyday issue, they seem to agree completely: in quiet shared spaces, headphones are usually the kinder choice.
