Popular comedy double Ant & Dec could be no more, but not because of a break up; the pair have revealed plans to legally merge into one person.

The duo, who have never been seen apart since they teamed up in 1990 on Byker Grove, have decided they are so in tune which one another that they wish to become a single person.

But how would the pair go about this complex process, physically and legally? Ant explains: ‘Me and Dec shave spent 24 hours a day together for 26 years now. Dec will even hold my hand when I have to push out a really tough poo. We feel like two halves of a whole and it’s time to make it official.

‘We’ve talked to a surgeon who will perform what is essentially a reversal of the process used to separate conjoined twins. Our flesh will be bonded together. Then we will fight for our right to be legally recognised as a single person. We live in an age where, if you complain long and loud enough, you’ll get what you want. We’ll make it happen.’

Dec eagerly nodded as his comedy partner explained the process, and added: ‘We’re aware there’s been some rumblings that we’re gay but that’s not true. What we have together is so much more than some sort of sexual attraction. It’s a whole being attraction. We both want to have a little part of ourselves inside each other.’

They even have their single entity name planned: Anton Dec.

ITV is said to be supportive of the plans if it means they only have to pay them the one wage.