Ant and Dec have apologised for promoting their new podcast with a video that has been widely criticised for containing imagery that was insensitive and may be triggering for people struggling with mental health and issues around suicide.
Some social media users characterised the opening shot of the clip – showing a pair of feet dangling above the ground – as evoking “suicide imagery” and “triggering”.
The clip was created to promote their new podcast, Hanging Out With Ant & Dec, which is due to launch later this month as part of their new digital entertainment channel. It has now been deleted.
The video, which was shared on Instagram and X on Friday, opened with the close-up image of feet suspended in the air, before panning out to show the duo “hanging out” pegged to a washing line.
Social media users variously called the clip “insensitive,” “triggering” and in “poor taste.”
One recently bereaved mother offered a unique perspective on Twitter (X), posting: “As a Mum who lost my daughter to suicide recently, I see things through a different lens.
“I do not think that Ant or Dec thought about how the image of the legs dangling or the phrase ‘hanging’ could be distressing to those bereaved by suicide.”
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Others were less triggered, with several, probably somewhat predictable, calls to “stop being so woke.”
Psychotherapist and journalist James Esses, the founder of just-therapy.org, noted: “As a psychotherapist: These people need to develop resilience. This pandering to ‘safetyism’ leads to poorer mental health, as it increases emotional fragility.”
Ant and Dec said in a statement on Saturday that they had “taken on board comments” and deleted the video.
The podcast will see the duo catch up about their lives as well as taking questions and comments from listeners.
It is part of their new Belta Box brand, which will be on platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, and will also host classic clips from their TV careers as well as promised “new digital formats.”
