In a heartwarming twist that’s melted hearts across the nation, beloved TV duo Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly — best known as Ant & Dec — have quietly purchased a £500,000 countryside farm in Northumberland. But rather than turning it into a lavish weekend retreat or celebrity hideaway, the pair have transformed it into something far more meaningful: a sanctuary for disabled and abandoned farm animals.
And in true Ant & Dec fashion, they revealed it not with a press release — but with a surprise livestream that drew over 2.3 million viewers in just hours.
Not a Farmhouse, But a Home for the Forgotten
The newly acquired 30-acre plot, once a rundown sheep farm, is now home to pigs with prosthetic legs, blind goats, elderly sheep, and hens rescued from battery farms. Ant & Dec, who reportedly financed the project entirely on their own, have named it Hopefield Hollow — and it’s already being called one of the most compassionate celebrity ventures of the year.
“We’ve spent our careers making people laugh,” Ant said during the livestream. “Now it’s time we made a few lives better — even if they’ve got hooves and horns.”
The Livestream That Changed Everything
The emotional debut aired on their joint social media channels late Sunday evening. What began as a “quiet tour” of their new project quickly turned into a viral moment when the pair personally carried in a rescued piglet fitted with tiny prosthetic back legs, named Buttons.
Moments later, Dec led a blind goat named Geraldine into her custom-designed pen, complete with scent markers and tactile paths so she could safely explore.
“She hasn’t walked freely in years,” Dec whispered. “Today… she can.”
Tears, laughter, and stunned silence poured into the live chat as viewers watched in real-time. By the end of the stream, over 2.3 million people had tuned in, and the hashtags #HopefieldHollow and #AntAndDecRescue were trending across multiple platforms.
A Personal Project with Deep Roots
While known for their comedy and presenting work, Ant & Dec have long been involved in behind-the-scenes charity work. But sources close to the duo say this project is “the most personal thing they’ve ever done.”
“They’re not doing this for TV,” one insider shared. “There are no camera crews. No scripts. Just a lot of heart.”
The duo has even moved staff from their production company to help with the day-to-day operations, and they plan to visit the farm regularly — not as celebrities, but as caretakers.
Fans and Celebs React
Social media was flooded with reactions from fans and fellow stars alike:
“This is the Ant & Dec era I didn’t know I needed,” wrote one viewer.
“From I’m A Celeb to I’m A Sanctuary Star — proud of these two,” added another.
Celebrities including Holly Willoughby, Ricky Gervais, and even Sir David Attenborough praised the project, with Sir David reportedly saying, “It’s acts like these that restore my faith in humanity.”
What’s Next?
The pair are now setting up a nonprofit foundation to support animal rescues across the UK, and they’ve hinted at more surprise livestreams, educational partnerships with schools, and even a potential children’s book series based on the animals at Hopefield Hollow.
“It’s not about us,” Ant concluded in the stream. “It’s about second chances — and the joy that comes from caring for those who can’t ask for it.”
In a world obsessed with celebrity luxury, Ant & Dec just reminded us all that the greatest homes aren’t always built for people — they’re built for purpose. And that’s why everyone’s talking 👇
