"Ant,what's wrong?" Dec asked concerned as they walked back to their dressing room after the show "you're limping"

"Oh it's nothing Dec" Ant lied "just did something to my knee,strained a muscle or something during that last dance.I'll put an ice pack on it and it'll be fine"

"Ok" Dec nodded,as they entered their joint dressing room "as long as it's nothing serious"

"Of course not" Ant smiled "honestly,I'm fine,please don't worry about me"

True to form,Ant was playing down just how serious his injury could possibly be so Dec didn't worry or fuss over him,but the truth was,he was in absolute agony and extremely worried about what he'd done to himself.

Ali,who had been watching the show from backstage,went off to find an ice pack as soon as Dec informed her of what had happened.

"Better?" She asked kindly as she held the cold compress on Ants knee.

"Much better,thanks Ali" Ant replied.

"How did you manage it?" She asked concerned.

"Not sure" Ant frowned "just did something during riverdance,not sure what,landed a bit funny or something"

"Maybe we should get a doctor to look at it" Ali suggested "it looks a bit swollen"

"Nah" Ant smiled "It'll be fine,the ice is helping a lot"

"Still wouldn't hurt to get it checked it out" Dec chimed in.

"I'll give it a couple of days" Ant replied "then if it doesn't get any better,I'll see my doctor"

"Make sure you do" Ali ordered.

"I will" Ant promised "that's what private health care is for after all isn't it?"

"Exactly" Dec agreed "make good use of it"

"Well" Ali mused "it's lucky this was the last night of the tour,imagine if you'd have to dance on a poorly knee tomorrow"

"Yeah" Ant nodded "that wouldn't have been good.The tour has been brilliant though hasn't it?"

"It really has" Dec grinned "I've had the best time.How can we get paid for doing something we love so much?"

"Who knows?" Ant laughed "but I'm glad we do,I'm ready for a few days relaxation before we get ready to head out to Australia though"

"Yeah,me too" Dec smiled.

"Seriously Declan" Ant stated,noting the concerned expression on Decs face once again "I'm absolutely fine,stop worrying about me ok?I know what you're like,this is nothing a good few days rest won't sort out"

"Ok" Dec smiled "can't wait to get back home to my own bed tomorrow"

Once back in Chiswick,Dec had some exciting news for Ant.

"Guess what?" He giggled childish,as they sat nursing a couple of pints of lager in their local pub,a few days after the Saturday Night Takeaway tour ended.

"What?" Ant smiled,always endeared by his friends childlike excitement,whenever he had any good news to tell him.

"I'm going to propose to Ali" Dec announced proudly.

"Really?" Ant beamed "that's brilliant,when?"

"When we go to Australia" Dec replied "what could be a more perfect setting?it's so beautiful out there as you know,I'm going to find the perfect spot and ask the woman I love to marry me"

"Congratulations" Ant smiled.

"Well,she has to say yes first" Dec frowned.

"Come on Decs" Ant laughed "as if she's going to say no"

"Yeah" Dec nodded "it's going to be so romantic.Anyway,how are you?did you go to the doctor about your knee?"

"Yeah,I did" Ant frowned.

"And...?" Dec pushed for more information.

"Looks like I might need an operation" Ant sighed "done more damage than I realised"

"Oh no" Dec replied sympathetically "that's a pain,when will they do it?"

"They want to do it as soon as possible" Ant informed him "but it's too close to us going to Australia,then we've got the Britain's Got Talent auditions in January,then the new series of Saturday Night Takeaway soon after,I just can't be out of action right now and I'm not sure how long the recovery period will be"

"It's your health though Ant" Dec frowned "it's important"

"I know" Ant nodded "but it'll just have to wait a couple of months at least,then I'll get it sorted"

"You must be in pain though?" Dec enquired.

"Yeah" Ant replied "it is pretty painful,but the doc has given me some pretty strong painkillers,so I'll manage"

"Ok" Dec smiled "but if you're struggling at all,you tell me ok?don't you dare suffer in silence"

"Yes Mam" Ant laughed "I'll tell you"

"Good" Dec grinned,not being able to contain his excitement about his forthcoming proposal "can't wait for Australia"

"Me neither" Ant agreed.

So a few weeks later,the boys were heading to the other side of the world for some winter sunshine once again,happy to leave the dark,wet days behind them.

"I'm so nervous" Dec was visibly shaking as he was preparing to whisk Ali away for the once in a lifetime proposal.

"Will you calm down" Ant laughed "it's going to be perfect,you've got this Decs,what's the worse that could happen?"

"She could say no" Dec frowned.

"She won't" Ant assured him "off you go then kidda,go and make that girls day,got the ring?"

"No" Dec smiled "but the person who needs to has"

"Sounds baffling" Ant frowned "can't wait to hear all about it"

Dec had decided to wait until the last full day that they were in Australia so the show would be wrapped up and no distractions would occur,or so he hoped.

"Where are we going?" Ali asked curiously as Dec took her hand and led her along the golden beach.

"You'll see" Dec smiled,eager to not give anything away.

"What's this?" Ali smiled as a dinner table with two chairs came into view on the beach,complete with a smiling waiter,holding an ice bucket containing a bottle of wine.

"This...my darling" Dec grinned "is our restaurant for the evening.We will have the most perfect view of the sunset from right here on the beach,feel free to kick your shoes off"

"Yeah" Ali laughed "you could have warned me not to wear high heels"

"Sorry" Dec grinned "didn't want to give anything away"

"Well,it's a lovely surprise" Ali beamed,as she kicked her shoes off and buried her toes in the warm sand after Dec pulled her chair out like a true gentleman for her to be seated.

Dec had informed the restaurant who were providing the food and kieran, the waiter of his intentions to propose to Ali.

Kieran winked at Dec as he placed the couples starters down in front of them.

"He's friendly" Ali laughed "think he's taken a bit of a shine to you"

"Apparently so" Dec played along with Ali's suspicions about the waiter.

'If only she knew' Dec thought to himself.

After they enjoyed a delicious starter and main course,accompanied by lots of wine,the waiter brought out two cloches containing their desserts,or so Ali thought.

"Looks like we're about to take part in a bushtucker trial" Ali joked.

"Yeah" Dec laughed as Kieran removed the domed cover from Decs cloche to reveal a tempting white chocolate mousse.

"Ooh,that looks yummy" Ali smiled.

"And for you madam" Kieran politely announced as he removed the lid of her cloche.

Ali looked down stunned for a moment.She had been expecting the chocolate cheesecake that she had ordered,but instead was greeted by a tray full of rose petals,surrounding a small,open box.

"Declan?" She whispered.

Dec smiled broadly,taking the stunning ring from the box,rising to his feet,before making his way around to Ali's side of the table.

Kieran took a few steps back to give the couple some privacy and to discreetly take some photos of the special occasion that Dec had requested.

Dec couldn't have timed it more perfectly.The sun was now setting and the sky was lit up with an abundance of red,yellow and orange.

Ali covered her mouth with both hands as Dec dropped to one knee in front of her in the sand.

"Ali" Dec smiled,prising her hands away from her face and taken one into his.

"Ali" he repeated "you are the love of my life.You are my sun,my moon,my stars,my everything.I love you more than words can say.Please will you do the honour of becoming my wife?"

Ali could barely speak through streams of happy tears,but managed to mumble a quick answer.

"Yes,yes" she whispered.

"You will?" Dec wanted definite confirmation,as he slipped the ring onto Ali's finger.

"I will" Ali stated,leaning in to kiss Dec passionately on the lips,just as a loud pop came from the champagne bottle that Kieran was in the process of opening.

"Congratulations you two" he smiled at the newly engaged couple as he began pouring the champagne.

"Thanks Kieran" Dec replied "and thanks so much for all your help tonight,it was perfect"

"It really was" Ali agreed.

Dec and Ali took their glasses of champagne and went down to the oceans edge to watch the rest of the sunset.

They sat in the sand with Ali leaning back onto Decs chest.

"This is so perfect" she smiled contentedly.

"You're perfect" Dec replied,while kissing her on the head.

"I'm going to be your wife" Ali grinned as she admired her sparkling engagement ring.

"And I'm going to be your husband" Dec smiled "let's start planning a wedding"

"Oh I will" Ali laughed "as soon as we get back,I'd like a summer wedding"

"Me too" Dec nodded,as Ali relaxed into his arms and watched the view for what seemed like the longest time.

"Happy?" Dec enquired.

"Happy" Ali confirmed "very happy,although I never did get any dessert"

"Me neither" Dec laughed "I'm too excited to eat anything else anyway"

"Yeah,me too" Ali sighed contentedly.

They eventually made their way hand in hand along the beach,back to the hotel,after Dec discreetly slipped Kieran a very generous tip for his help.

"I guess you'll want to break the news to Ant when we get back?" Ali asked.

"Well..." Dec grinned.

"Don't tell me" Ali laughed "he already knows?"

"Yeah he does" Dec replied sheepishly.

"Ah,well" Ali smiled "let's go and tell him and Lisa all about your proposal"

Of course Ant and Lisa were absolutely delighted with the news as the four friends sat in the luxurious hotel lounge.

"So,you'll be needing a best man then?" Ant joked.

"Yeah,I guess I will" Dec replied playfully "know anyone who might be up for the job?"

"How about Stephen Mulhern?" Ant winked.

"Mullers?" Dec laughed "nah,he'd be rubbish"

"No idea then" Ant frowned "one of your brothers?"

"Maybe" Dec nodded.

"Stop teasing him" Ali laughed "just ask him straight"

"Aww,stop spoiling my fun Mrs Donnelly" Dec grinned,before turning back to Ant.

"Ant,please will you be my best man?" Dec smiled.

"It would be an absolute honour Declan" Ant replied affectionately "now then,I think it's going to be pay back time finally,don't you think I've ever forgotten about that french maids outfit"

"Oh God" Dec shook his head playfully "sorry Ali,I've changed my mind,I don't want to get married after all"

"Too late" Ali laughed as she wiggled her ring under his nose "you're mine now"

The next few months were consumed with filming the Britain's Got Talent auditions and the live Saturday Night Takeaway shows.

Ant and Dec were loving every minute of it,especially some of the crazy Britain's Got Talent acts.

One in particular was a small Yorkshire terrier called Max that took an instant dislike to Ant,chasing him repeatedly,much to everyone elses delight.

Soon after the auditions were wrapped up,the boys had to fill their obligation of hosting The Brits once again.They'd done it when they were much younger and hadn't enjoyed it at all,but now they were seasoned presenters,not much phased them,not even Madonna taking a tumble off of the stage,but it was yet another story to tell anyone who was interested.

Ants knee was still bothering him though,but the doctors were happy to keep him supplied with some pretty strong painkillers.

Until the day of his operation finally arrived!