They were filming in a care home for an I’m A Celeb special — but what Anthony McPartlin did for one lonely 97-year-old wasn’t in the script…
—Everyone thought it was just another charity segment — until Ant noticed Mr. Harold, a WWII veteran who hadn’t received a single visitor in 14 years. What Ant did next — including flying in a stranger from Canada and arranging a tea party with 41 guests — left even Dec speechless…👇
A Hero’s Tea Party
In the quiet outskirts of London, where the hum of city life faded into the gentle rhythm of a care home, the cameras rolled for a special episode of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in the spring of 2025. The segment was meant to be a feel-good charity piece, showcasing hosts Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly visiting residents at Willow Grove Care Home to raise funds and spirits. Ant, at 49, and Dec, his lifelong friend, were known for their warmth and humor, but what Ant did during that visit went far beyond the script, touching a heart that had been forgotten for far too long.
The care home was abuzz with excitement as residents gathered in the common room, chatting with the crew and laughing at Ant and Dec’s banter. But Ant’s eyes kept drifting to a frail figure in the corner—97-year-old Harold Bennett, a WWII veteran with a medal-laden past and a quiet dignity. Harold sat alone, his hands folded, his cloudy eyes fixed on nothing. A nurse, Emma, whispered to Ant, “That’s Mr. Harold. He’s been here 14 years, and not a single visitor. He doesn’t talk much, but he’s a hero—fought at Normandy, saved lives.”
Harold’s loneliness hit Ant like a wave. He thought of his own family, the laughter that filled his home, and imagined the ache of 14 years without a visitor. The cameras were rolling, but Ant didn’t care about the script. He knelt beside Harold, his voice soft. “Hey, Harold, I’m Ant. Tell me about you.” Harold’s lips twitched, surprised, and he murmured about D-Day, his mates in the army, and a sister in Canada he hadn’t seen since the 1960s. “No one’s left now,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. “Just me.”
Ant couldn’t shake Harold’s words. That night, back at his hotel, he made a decision. This wasn’t just a TV moment—it was a chance to give Harold something real. He started digging, contacting Emma to learn more. Harold’s sister, Margaret, had moved to Canada decades ago, and they’d lost touch after a family rift. Harold had no children, no nearby relatives—only memories and a faded photo of Margaret he kept by his bed. Ant, determined, tracked down Margaret, now 89, living in a small town near Toronto. When he called her, she wept, saying, “I thought he was gone. I’d give anything to see my brother again.”
Ant didn’t hesitate. He paid for Margaret’s flight from Canada to London, arranging every detail—wheelchair assistance, a nurse to travel with her, a hotel near the care home. But he wanted more for Harold. He learned from Emma that Harold loved tea parties in his youth, hosting friends with scones and stories. So, Ant planned a surprise: a grand tea party at Willow Grove, not just for Harold and Margaret, but for the entire care home and beyond.
In secret, Ant worked with the staff over the next week. He invited 41 guests—local veterans, community members, even children from a nearby school who’d written letters to Harold after hearing about him. Ant funded everything: tables adorned with lace, platters of scones and sandwiches, a string quartet playing wartime tunes, and a cake decorated with a miniature Spitfire, Harold’s favorite plane from his RAF days. He even had a medal restorer polish Harold’s war medals, framing them for display.
On the day of the event, the care home was transformed. The common room glowed with fairy lights, and the scent of fresh tea filled the air. Harold, unaware, was wheeled in, dressed in a new suit Ant had sent. When he heard the chatter of voices, he frowned, confused. Then Ant’s voice cut through: “Harold, this is for you—a tea party for a hero.” The quartet played “We’ll Meet Again,” and Margaret, trembling, took her brother’s hand. “It’s me, Harry,” she said, her voice thick with tears. Harold’s face crumpled, his hands gripping hers, as he whispered, “Maggie… you came.”
The room erupted in applause, but it was the 41 guests who left everyone speechless. Veterans shared stories of their own, kids read their letters aloud, and neighbors recounted how Harold’s quiet kindness had touched them years ago. Dec, standing beside Ant, was uncharacteristically quiet, his eyes misty. “Mate, you’ve outdone yourself,” he whispered. Ant just shrugged, watching Harold laugh as a schoolgirl placed a paper crown on his head.
The tea party wasn’t filmed—no cameras, no publicity, just a moment for Harold. But a nurse posted about it online, sharing a photo of Harold and Margaret holding hands, surrounded by guests. The post went viral, with fans of Ant and Dec calling it “the most beautiful thing he’s ever done.” Comments poured in: “Ant’s a hero for this,” “Crying for Harold,” “This is what kindness looks like.”
When the I’m A Celebrity special aired, a brief mention of Harold’s story—without Ant’s full role—sparked curiosity. A reporter dug deeper, uncovering Ant’s actions: the flight, the tea party, the quiet planning. The truth broke the internet, with headlines proclaiming, “Ant McPartlin Reunites WWII Vet with Sister, Throws Epic Tea Party.” Fans shared videos of Harold smiling, his medals gleaming, as Margaret recounted their childhood.
Ant, when asked, downplayed it. “Harold’s the hero, not me. He deserved a day to feel loved.” But for Harold, it was everything. He and Margaret spent his final months reconnecting, calling daily, sharing stories. The care home made the tea party an annual event, naming it “Harold’s Heroes.” When Harold passed at 98, Margaret and the 41 guests attended his memorial, each wearing a Spitfire pin in his honor.
Years later, a letter from Margaret arrived for Ant. “You gave my brother his family back,” she wrote. “That tea party was his happiest day.” Ant read it on set, his voice catching, knowing some moments—like giving a lonely hero a day of love—are worth more than any TV spotlight.
