One Smile, One Hug, One Miracle

The studio lights of Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway blazed brightly on a crisp March evening in 2025, the air electric with laughter and anticipation. The show was in full swing, with Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly trading their signature banter, the audience roaring at every quip. But in the midst of a chaotic game segment, something caught Dec’s eye—a girl in the front row, her wheelchair adorned with colorful stickers, her face lit up with a smile so radiant it seemed to outshine the studio’s spotlights. Her name was Lily, and that smile would change everything.

Lily, a 10-year-old from Birmingham, had been invited to the show through a children’s charity that Ant and Dec had supported for years. She’d been born with a rare condition that required constant medical care, but her spirit was unbreakable. Her mother, Emma, had written to the Takeaway team, sharing how Lily watched every episode from her hospital bed, mimicking Ant and Dec’s catchphrases and dreaming of one day seeing them live. The team had arranged for Lily and her family to attend, but what happened next was unplanned, unscripted, and unforgettable.

As Dec darted across the stage during a segment called “Win the Ads,” he glanced at Lily again. She was clapping with such joy, her eyes sparkling, that he froze mid-step. The music blared, the audience cheered, but Dec raised a hand, signaling the crew to pause. The studio fell silent, a rare hush for a show known for its relentless energy. Ant, sensing something was up, stopped too, his brow furrowing as he followed Dec’s gaze.

Dec walked to the edge of the stage, knelt down, and looked directly at Lily. “What’s your name, love?” he asked, his Geordie accent soft and warm. The microphone picked up every word, broadcasting it to the millions watching at home.

“Lily,” she replied, her voice small but steady, her smile unwavering.

“Lily, that smile of yours is stealing the show,” Dec said, his own grin spreading. “Can I give you a hug?” The audience awwed, and Lily nodded eagerly. Dec hopped off the stage, wrapped his arms around her, and held her tight, as if pouring all the warmth of the moment into that embrace. The studio erupted in applause, but Dec wasn’t done. He stood up, his eyes glistening, and turned to the audience.

“This lass here,” he said, his voice cracking, “has been through more than most of us can imagine. And yet, she’s smiling brighter than anyone in this room. That’s courage. That’s magic.” He paused, glancing at Ant, who nodded, understanding dawning. “We make this show to bring joy, but tonight, Lily’s teaching us what joy really means.”

Ant joined Dec at the stage’s edge, crouching to chat with Lily. “You’re our star tonight, Lily,” he said, ruffling her hair. Then, to the audience, he added, “Let’s make some magic for kids like Lily, yeah?” The crowd roared, and in that moment, a spark was lit—a spark that would grow into a movement touching thousands of children across the UK.

The Magic Makers

Backstage after the show, Ant and Dec sat with Lily and her family, listening to their story. Emma shared how Lily’s condition required frequent hospital stays, and how the children’s ward, underfunded and overstretched, lacked the resources to make those stays less daunting. Lily chimed in, her voice bubbling with ideas: “The hospital needs colors! And games! And maybe a TV to watch Takeaway!” Ant and Dec laughed, but her words struck a chord.

That night, over a late-night coffee, Ant and Dec hatched a plan. They’d seen the power of Lily’s smile, felt the energy of the audience’s response, and knew they could do more. They wanted to transform pediatric wards across the UK, turning sterile rooms into places of color, comfort, and joy—what they’d later call “Magic Rooms.” They envisioned spaces with interactive games, vibrant murals, and entertainment systems, all designed to make hospital stays feel less like a burden and more like an adventure.

They pitched the idea to ITV and their production company, Mitre Studios, the next day. “This isn’t just a charity drive,” Dec said passionately. “It’s about giving kids like Lily a reason to smile, even on their toughest days.” Ant added, “We’ve got the platform. Let’s use it.” The network greenlit the campaign, dubbed Lily’s Magic Makers, and Ant and Dec got to work.

Their first step was to partner with Starlight, a children’s charity they’d supported before, to identify hospitals in need. They also reached out to Mul, the Newcastle artist who’d designed their charity merchandise in the past, to create murals for the Magic Rooms. Mul, inspired by Lily’s story, sketched designs filled with whimsical characters and bright colors, tailored to each hospital’s young patients.

To launch the campaign, Ant and Dec dedicated an entire Saturday Night Takeaway episode to Lily’s Magic Makers. They brought Lily back to the studio, where she officially “opened” the campaign by pressing a comically large red button, triggering a shower of confetti and a donation ticker on-screen. The episode featured a tear-jerking montage of children in hospitals, interspersed with Ant and Dec visiting wards to meet patients. They played games, told jokes, and promised, “We’re going to make these places magic, just for you.”

The public response was staggering. Donations poured in via text, online platforms, and even collection buckets at supermarkets. X buzzed with #LilysMagicMakers, as parents shared stories of their own children’s hospital stays. One post read, “My son spent six months in hospital last year. @antanddec, you’re giving kids hope. Thank you.” Another user wrote, “Lily’s smile started this. She’s a superhero.”

A Nationwide Transformation

By summer 2025, Lily’s Magic Makers had raised £3 million, enough to transform 50 pediatric wards across the UK. The first Magic Room opened at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where Lily cut the ribbon, her wheelchair now sporting a new sticker: “Magic Maker.” The room was a wonderland—walls painted with Mul’s murals, shelves stocked with games, and a giant screen for movie nights. Lily’s eyes widened as she explored, whispering to Dec, “It’s like a dream.”

Ant and Dec didn’t stop there. They hosted a charity gala in London, inviting celebrities like Dermot O’Leary and Holly Willoughby to perform alongside them. The event, livestreamed on X, raised an additional £500,000. They also launched a line of Lily’s Magic Makers merchandise—t-shirts, mugs, and plush toys—with all proceeds funding more rooms. Schools got involved, organizing “Magic Days” where students wore bright colors and donated pocket money. Even Newcastle United, Ant and Dec’s beloved football club, hosted a match dedicated to the campaign, with players wearing Lily’s Magic Makers armbands.

The campaign’s impact went beyond money. It shone a spotlight on the challenges of pediatric care, prompting hospitals to prioritize mental health support for young patients. Ant and Dec met with policymakers, advocating for increased NHS funding for children’s wards. “Lily showed us what’s possible,” Dec told a parliamentary committee. “Now let’s make sure every kid gets that chance.”

A Legacy of Joy

By the end of 2025, Lily’s Magic Makers had transformed 100 wards, reaching thousands of children. Lily, now a regular guest on Ant and Dec’s social media, became a symbol of resilience, her smile a reminder of the campaign’s heart. At a special Takeaway finale, Ant and Dec surprised her with a “Magic Maker of the Year” award, a glittering trophy she held high as the audience chanted her name.

For Ant and Dec, the campaign was a turning point. They’d always been entertainers, but now they were changemakers. “Lily’s hug changed us,” Dec said in an interview. “She reminded us why we do this—to make people happy.” Ant nodded, adding, “One smile started it all. Imagine what a million smiles could do.”

As the next season of Saturday Night Takeaway loomed, Ant and Dec vowed to keep Lily’s Magic Makers alive, planning an annual campaign to fund more Magic Rooms. Back in Birmingham, Lily sat in her hospital’s Magic Room, watching a rerun of the show on the new screen. She turned to her mum and said, “I hugged Dec, and now kids everywhere are smiling.” Emma hugged her tightly, whispering, “You’re the real magic, Lily.”

And in that moment, one smile, one hug, had become a miracle—a legacy of joy that would light up hospitals for years to come.