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Ant and Dec Came Close to $30 Million Lawsuit from Comedian

In a surprising turn of events that dates back to 2008, the beloved British presenting duo Ant and Dec nearly found themselves embroiled in a legal battle with American comedian Anthony Kalloniatis, who sought a staggering $30 million in damages. The comedian, who legally adopted the stage name ANT in 1993, accused the duo of undermining his career by using a similar name in the U.S.

Since their rise to prominence in the late 1980s, Ant and Dec have established themselves as staples of British television, known for their work on popular shows like Britain’s Got Talent and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! However, during a brief attempt to break into the American market with the gameshow Wanna Bet?, which ultimately flopped after just one season, they attracted the ire of Kalloniatis.

Kalloniatis claimed that the presence of Ant and Dec was confusing audiences and affecting his ability to secure gigs. He argued that their actions could jeopardize his reputation, particularly as they were involved in controversial projects at the time. Under U.S. law, having the same stage name as another performer can lead to legal troubles, and Kalloniatis was adamant that the duo failed to clarify that they were comedians when they sought to trademark their names.

As reported, Kalloniatis’s lawsuit was ultimately dismissed in 2010, with Ant McPartlin receiving over $60,000 in legal fees following the ruling. It seems that despite the scare, the duo’s popularity remained unscathed, continuing to captivate audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.

Catch Britain’s Got Talent airing today, as Ant and Dec remain fan favorites in the UK television landscape. What are your thoughts on this legal saga? Engage with us on social media to share your views.