In an emotional video reveal, the legendary YouTube team finally unveils their long-standing relationship as Dan and Phil Lester, bringing an end to years of fan speculation about “Phan” and pledging to remain true to their comedic roots.
In a shocking revelation to the YouTube world, legendary artists Dan Howell and Phil Lester have addressed the “Phan” allegations that have followed them for almost 16 years by formally confirming they have been in a love relationship since 2009. An October 13 video titled “Is Phan Real?” had the emotional revelation. In “Dan and Phil Reveal the Truth,” the British couple talked about how they went from being coworkers to being life partners.
Are Dan and Phil Lester in a Relationship?
In the first few seconds of the video, Dan, 34, gave the long-awaited confirmation by saying clearly, “All right, let’s get this over with. Do Dan and Phil have a romantic relationship? After Phil, 38, just said, “Yes,” Dan humorously attempted to cut the video off.
The pair admitted that the years of conjecture were “partly our fault,” with Phil stating that they “started filming YouTube videos together on the day we met”—a choice he laughed and said he “would not recommend.” They signed on as “professional entertainers” at first, but they “fell hard and fast” in 2009, Dan continued.
Why now? Navigating Privacy and Public Personas
Following 16 years of dating, the couple discussed their reluctance to officially identify their relationship as Dan and Phil in separate coming-out videos released in June 2019. They voiced concerns about how the disclosure may impact their material and questioned whether their audience had “the right to know” about their private lives.
“A big thing with sharing the details of your personal life is how it affects what you do,” Dan said. “Because Dan and Phil, the comedy duo, and Dan and Phil, the gay boyfriends, it hits different.”
Despite the confirmation, the pair stressed that they will not be turning into “couple vloggers in bed” or making a lot of romantic footage. Their primary goal remains making their audience laugh while finally being able to be their authentic selves.
Dan and Phil Lester’s Relationship Realities
Although their relationship may be romanticized by viewers, Dan and Phil were quick to put expectations in check. He said, “It’s not always perfect, Phil.” “Don’t get into your head that we are the ideal of human partnerships.”
“There have been ups and downs,” Dan continued. If you’re a mess, we’re a mess, just like everyone else. He called their relationship “weird” and “a bizarre example of a relationship.”
The two disclosed that they never gave their relationship a formal name, with Dan stating, “We just ended up living together, and here we are.” Even while Phil acknowledged that they are “partners in everything,” he joked that they are not “technically” coupled because they never used the phrase.
What’s Next? New Podcast and Continued Collaboration
The introduction of The Dan and Phil Podcast is one of the exciting, fresh adventures that coincide with the relationship confirmation. Phil made a joke about their new venture, saying, “After 15 years of repressing all of these stories and opinions, they’re finally going to come out.”
With the relaunch of their gaming channel in October 2023, following a five-year break and the North American leg of their “Terrible Influence” tour, their creative collaboration is still thriving. Planning their third tour for December 2023 felt like a logical comeback to their united brand, the pair told PEOPLE.
FAQs
They confirmed they’ve been in a relationship since 2009, meaning they’ve been together for nearly 16 years.
Both came out separately in June 2019 through individual YouTube videos.
They’ve stated they won’t become “couple vloggers” and will maintain their comedy-focused content, though they may share more authentic stories.
“Phan” is the ship name fans created, combining “Phil” and “Dan” to describe their rumored relationship.
Yes, they recently revived their gaming channel, are touring with “Terrible Influence,” and announced a new podcast.
What was your reaction to Dan and Phil’s relationship confirmation? Share your thoughts and favorite Phan moments in the comments below!
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