Ant and Dec’s air of disconnect to protective affection after they almost split

Best pals Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly went from displaying an “air of disconnect” to a “protective affection” for one another after a tense time that almost ended their partnership.

Ant and Dec have admitted they almost split for good when Ant’s drink-driving arrest saw him take a break from showbiz.

The pair had filmed the first episode of their documentary Ant & Dec’s DNA Journey when it happened, returning once Ant was in the right frame of mind to finish the show.

Author and body language expert Judi James saw big changes in the Geordie duo when she examined their behaviour towards once another in the different episodes, which tested their 30-year friendship to the limits.

Here, she exclusively tells Mirror Online what she learned about their relationship…

Episode 1

Judi said: “There is an air of disconnect between the two in Episode 1 and some obvious emotional undercurrents that didn’t all seem connected to the DNA research. Ant’s body language defines a different character from the guy we see in Ep 2. Quieter some of the time, almost sitting back as Dec instigates much of the action, keeping the Ant and Dec brand alive with a more professional demeanor, Ant’s body language is also very fidgety, more spontaneous and even slightly defensive or guarded at times. He has a trait of placing his finger over his lips while he is talking in a partial cut-off and, with the face-touching and partial covering he appears to be less assured and more keen to hide or to conceal his words.

“There’s no real air of timing between the two, which does suit the more naturalistic style of the show, but there’s less signs of sharing than normal. When Ant wells up outside the pub he partial-covers his face from Dec while Dec stands with his arms folded watching and the eventual ‘hug’ looks awkward rather than natural and affectionate.

“The biggest cue of high emotions comes when Dec tries to say to camera that they ‘get on so well’. This shouldn’t really be a difficult statement normally but it is clearly too much for Dec, who raises both hands to gesture and possibly hide behind as he begins to get tearful, illustrating the deeper emotions behind the performance at that point.”

Episode 2

Judi says: “Ant is now clean-shaven and sharp in his responses and jokes, using some emphatic gesticulation to underline his words and show raised levels of confidence. He is also back to leading the double act in the traditional way. He’s the actively funny guy again and making Dec laugh helplessly as a result. Their timing is back on track and if there is any repair still going on between them they manage to keep any signals subtle.

“Ant seems to be making more tactile moves towards Dec, hugging him and enjoying making him laugh. In one scene he even places an arm around Dec’s chair suggesting he has now got a rather protective attitude towards his partner and is trying hard to please him or make him happy.

“When they sit in the car Dec places his hand in the gap between them caused by the seat belts rather than just sitting apart as they did in Ep 1. The fun and the affection look totally back in place here although there is one telling moment that suggests vulnerability and a need to check and reassure.

“When the guys find out they are related at the end of the episode Ant looks delighted but Dec says ‘Oh my god’ and throws his head back. This could have been funny but Ant’s reaction suggests he’s rather worried as he checks for affirmation that Dec really does see it as good news.”