"Mam,what the hell are you doing here?" Dec exclaimed as Ant showed Anne into the living room.

"Hello to you too Declan" Anne replied sarcastically as she approached Dec and kissed him on the cheek.

"Er...yeah,hello Mam" Dec frowned "but why are you here?"

"Well" Anne stated "if you can't find the time to come and visit your old Mam,then your old Mam will just have to come and visit you,it's been ages since you came up"

"Hasn't been that long Mam.You know how busy I've been" Dec sighed "I've explained that to you several times.It's not like I don't want to see you,I have actually been working,you can't just turn up here unannounced"

"Apparently I can" Anne shrugged "and I see all my other kids every week,so it has been that long"

"Well,they don't do my kind of work do they?" Dec muttered.

"I'll go and make us all some tea" Ant smiled,not really wanting to be a part of this conversation,he felt sorry for Dec,but was also feeling incredibly relieved that it wasn't his Mam who had just turned up out of the blue.

"Is Dad with you?" Dec enquired,glancing out of the window to look for his beloved father.

"No,he's working" Anne informed him.

"You drove down on your own?" Dec asked surprised.

"Of course not" Anne replied "I got the train,then a taxi"

"I wish you'd let us know you were coming,you're lucky we were in" Dec moaned.

"Wanted to catch you by surprise" Anne smiled "then I could see exactly how you boys are living,just in the nick of time by the look of it"

"Yeah,well you certainly did that" Dec stated "what would you have done if we weren't in?"

"I'm sure I would have found a nice cafe to bide my time in" Anne smiled.

She gazed around the living room,noticing every single inch of mess.The clothes just thrown all over the sofa,the unwashed plates and cups on the coffee table,the sweet wrappers just carelessly thrown towards,but not quite landing in the rubbish bin and the open CD and DVD cases with their contents lazily spilling out where they were left,just to name a few things and she dreaded to think what state Decs room would be in.

"Tea's up" Ant announced as he walked back into the living room with three hot drinks.

"Mam" Dec smiled as they sat down to enjoy their beverages "we're still working the next few days you know?we're still gonna be busy,this isn't the right time for you to be here,I still won't be able to spend much time with you"

"Well,I'm here now aren't I?so I'm staying,at least for the time being" Anne replied.

"Um...how long are you here for exactly and I assume you've booked into a hotel?" Dec enquired hopefully.

"As long as it takes to get some quality time with my son" Anne replied "and to make sure he's not living like a pig"

Dec looked around at some of the stuff strewn around the living room "it's not just my mess" he mumbled childishly.

"Oh thanks Declan" Ant snapped "throw me under the bus why don't ya?"

"Well it's true" Dec replied "so which hotel are you staying at?"

He was doubtful he'd get the answer he was hoping for to that question,but it was worth a shot.

"I'm not staying at a hotel Declan" Anne replied "I'm staying here obviously"

That was the answer Dec was dreading "but Mam,we've only got two bedrooms and those are mine and Ants"

"I'm happy to sleep on the sofa" Anne smiled,while patting what was probably going to be her makeshift bed "seems comfy enough"

Ant stared at Dec,assuming he would now do the right thing and offer up his bed to his mother,but when he stayed silent,Ant knew he had to step in.

"You can't sleep on the sofa Anne" Ant announced while glaring at Dec,annoyed at his lack of manners towards his own mother "I'll take the sofa and you can have my bed,I'll change the sheets and tidy up in there ready for you"

"Thank you very much for your kind offer Anthony" Anne smiled "you are a true gentleman,but that won't be necessary,it should be my son here offering up his bed if anyone"

"Ok ok,you can have my bed" Dec sighed "don't nag"

"Good" Anne smiled "so how about you give me the grand tour of this place"

Ant and Dec both cringed at the thought of that,knowing that the living room wasn't even the messiest of all the rooms,but Dec knew Anne was unlikely to let it go,so reluctantly got to his feet to show her around.

After viewing all the rooms except Ants bedroom as she decided it wasn't her place to invade his privacy,Anne had come to one definite conclusion.

"You're slobs,the pair of you" she announced "it's my own fault for spoiling you rotten growing up Declan,but I expected better from you than this and Anthony,what's going on with you?you know how to take care of a home"

"Sorry" Ant mumbled.

"Well maybe he's had enough of taking care of the home" Dec snapped "wants a break from all that like"

Anne realised she may have gone a bit too far as she momentarily forgot about Ants difficult home life when he was growing up.

"I'm sorry boys" she smiled "I just don't like seeing you living like this,it can't be healthy"

"Mam we're young lads" Dec replied "there can't be many of us who don't live like this when we have the chance"

"Yeah,that's true I guess" Anne sighed "I tell you what,while you're at work tomorrow,I'll give this place a damn good clean from top to bottom,how about that?"

"You don't have to do that Anne" Ant smiled.

"I know I don't" Anne replied "but I want to,I'll keep out of your room though Anthony,that's your private space,well unless you want me to go in there?"

"I don't mind" Ant replied "I've got nothing to hide"

"Great" Anne replied "that's the plan then,so where are your clean sheets kept?I'd better get this bed changed hadn't I?"

"I'll do that Mam" Dec whispered,it was a job he hated,but he had to at least offer and the thought of his mother going anywhere near,let alone sleeping in the sweaty sheets he hadn't changed for weeks,totally made him cringe.

"We'll do it together then" Anne replied.

Dec knew there was no point in arguing with her,but managed to put the chore off for a couple of hours at least so they could have a proper catch up.

The next day,as Ant and Dec went off to record their television show,Anne got stuck into the housework,tutting and shaking her head in despair as she came across pile upon pile of dirty clothes,plates and various other levels of scumminess that the boys had created,but the truth of the matter was,she was actually in her element at being able to look after her baby again and she also had Ant thrown in for good measure.

Ant and Dec had to admit that the flat did look damn good when they arrived home from filming the next day,everything was spick and span and Anne was obviously rustling something up in the kitchen judging by the tempting aroma wafting towards them as they came through the front door.

"I knew it wouldn't be so bad having your Mam here" Ant giggled as he sniffed the air "smell that?"

"Hi boys" Anne called out "hope you're hungry?"

"Starving" Dec replied as he kissed his Mam on the cheek "what's cooking?"

"Beef and mushroom pie" Anne announced "it's ready,so go and wash your hands"

Ant and Dec looked at each other and giggled,it had been a long time since either of them had been made to wash their hands before eating,but they did as they were told so they would keep Anne happy.

Anne stayed with the boys for the next ten days and after the initial shock of her unscheduled visit,Dec actually enjoyed spending time with her again.As much as he loved having his independence and freedom,having Anne around again made him realise just how much he missed his home comforts and family life.

He still hadn't got to spend as much time with her as he would have liked because of work,really only some evenings and one fulĺ day on the Sunday,but that was better than nothing and Anne was also happy enough when Dec was at work busying herself rearranging the flat to her liking,shopping for the boys and batch cooking for their freezer.

As well as stocking up their fridge and cupboards with healthy food,she couldn't resist buying new ornaments for the place and even new duvet covers.

"We can hide it after she's left" Dec giggled as they stared at the ceramic cat that had been placed on top of their television.

"I don't know" Ant laughed "I quite like it"

"Go and see your bedrooms boys" Anne ordered as she dished up the steaming hot food.

Ant and Dec could only stare in amazement at the duvets that were now adorning their beds.

"What the hell?" Ant laughed as they entered Decs bedroom "unicorns?"

"Yeah,Mam has a bit of a warped sense of humour" Dec laughed as he sat on his bed "I'm used to it"

"Didn't know you could get unicorn duvet covers in double bed sizes,thought they were just for single beds,wonder if I've got the same?" Ant mused.

"Let's go and look" Dec suggested.

As they entered Ants bedroom,they both fell about laughing.

"Brilliant" Ant smiled.

"Well,this is a bit different than unicorns" Dec grinned as he observed the cover that was gracing his friends bed.

"I didn't know you could get duvet covers with pizzas designs on them either?" Ant queried.

"Well,there it is" Dec stated "I quite like it actually,unicorns aren't very...um...manly,I'll swap with you"

"Nah,you're alright" Ant smiled "I'll stick to my pizza,thanks"

As they wandered back into the kitchen,Dec had to query one thing.

"Mam,we only changed my bed yesterday,why have you done it again?"

"Couldn't resist" Anne smiled "they're great covers aren't they?cheer your bedrooms up,and I've already washed the other sets,so don't you worry about that"

"Thanks Mam" Dec smiled "but unicorns?"

Anne just winked cheekily at her youngest child.

"Yeah,thanks Anne" Ant agreed "for everything,the place looks great"

"Let's try and keep it like this now shall we boys?I'm not opposed to another surprise visit should the mood take me" Anne threatened.

"We'll do our best" Ant replied.

"Declan?" Anne stared at her son hopefully.

"Yes Mam" he sighed "we'll do our best"

"Good" the caring mother smiled "that's all I ask"

A few days later,Anne decided it was time for her to leave and get back to her life in Newcastle.She'd managed to spend some time with her son at least,even if it wasn't as much as they both had been longing for.

Dec arranged for one of the Telstar drivers to take her to the station and he would also go along to see her off.Ant kindly stayed home allowing Anne and Dec a little bit of extra time together.Both boys had got a bit tearful at the thought of her leaving and they swore they would make more effort to go home more often from now on.

Ant knew how sad Dec would be when he arrived back from the station,so was ready to greet him with a warm hug and a comforting cup of tea.

As the year moved on,the boys were amazed to learn they had been nominated for a Bafta award for The Ant and Dec show.

"What's a Bafta?" Dec asked Mike when he informed them of the development.

"Oh come on Dec" Mike frowned "you're an actor and you don't know what the Baftas are?The British academy of film and television arts"

"Ok,maybe I do" Dec grinned cheekily "just wanted you to confirm it"

Soon Ant and Dec found out exactly how it felt to win an award for all of their hard work as the Ant and Dec show received not one,but two awards.

Even though the boys had been in the entertainment business for several years now,it was these awards that made them feel like they were finally accepted in their career path.

"There's something we wanted to talk to you about Mike" Ant announced one day as he,Dec and Mike enjoyed a casual lunch "and I guess the guys at Telstar"

"Oh yeah?what's that?" The manager asked cautiously.

"Well" Ant continued "we'll be releasing our third album soon right?"

"Yeah" Mike nodded.

"Well" Ant smiled "me and Dec were having a little chat the other day and one thing struck us as pretty strange"

"What's that?" Mike asked curiously,wondering where this conversation was heading.

"Well,why are we still using the names PJ and Duncan?" Ant enquired "when they're characters we haven't played for ages,I mean,how long has it been since we left Byker Grove?it just doesn't make sense to do that anymore"

"Hmm" Mike looked deep in thought for a moment "you know Ant,I think you've got a point,it doesn't make much sense.So what do you suggest we do?"

"Use our own names,Ant and Dec" Dec joined in "and maybe change our image and all that,I'd be happy to see the back of those baggy clothes"

"You know" Mike smiled "I think this is a great idea,put the old PJ and Duncan image to bed and the new Ant and Dec one is born.Let me run it by the bosses,but I can't see it being a problem,I'll get back to you tomorrow"

Indeed,true to his word,Mike was on the phone the next day informing the lads that they were indeed to start work on their new image that very day.They would be picked up in the next half an hour and taken for what Mike had described as a pampering session,Ant and Dec weren't sure exactly what that would entail,but it sounded like it could be fun.

They were dropped off at a hairdressing salon early in the morning before it got too busy,the owner had actually been willing to open up before her usual business hours to help the boys out and she and a member of staff would be ready and waiting for them,ready to get to work.

"So what have you got in mind for this new image then" Edith,the experienced hairdresser asked.

"Er...not sure" Ant replied "haven't thought about it too much"

"He wants his head shaved" Dec joked.

"Shut up Declan" Ant swiped Dec playfully on the arm as they both climbed into the chairs.

Ant thought about it for a moment,actually that wasn't such a bad idea.

"What do you think Mike?" Ant grinned "a shaved head might go down a treat with my mean and moody image"

"Will it now?" Mike laughed "well,if you're brave enough?"

"Ooh,that sounds like a dare Ant" Dec observed "are ya gonna do it?"

"Yeah,why not?" He grinned at Edith,who was now poised to pick up an electric razor "let's do it"

Just a few minutes later,Ant was admiring his new look in the mirror.

"You look so different" Dec laughed "like a right thug"

"Yep" Ant agreed "tough guy,that's me,so you'd better watch out"

"So young man" Edith turned towards Dec,while placing her hands on Decs shoulders "what do you want for your new image?are you going to go for the short,back and sides too?"

"Nah" Dec replied "with this face,I'd just look like a giant baby"

"What then?" Edith probed.

"I don't know" Dec sighed "get rid of this curtain fringe for sure,but I can't think of what else we can do?"

"I've got an idea" Mike interrupted "how about as well as getting rid of the curtains,you dye it too?"

"Really?" Dec asked surprised.

"Really?" Edith repeated,she was happy to do whatever she was told to do.

"What colour?" Dec enquired.

"Blonde maybe?" Mike grinned.

"Blonde?" Dec winced at the thought "but I'd look so weird,I've never dyed my hair before,I can't imagine being blonde,I've only ever been brunette"

"That's the point though Declan" Mike assured him "if you want a complete image change,then it has to be as far away from what you've got at the moment for it to have any impact,so what do you say?"

A wide grin spread across Decs face "ok,let's do it,I think I can cope with being a blonde bombshell"

The hair dying process was a very slow one,unlike Ants quick shave,so Mike and Ant took themselves off to a nearby pub,much to Decs envy, promising to return for the big unveiling.

Once that time came around and the large hairdryer was removed from above Decs head,Ant and Mike couldn't help but burst into fits of laughter.

"What?" Dec asked with a frown "what's so funny?"

"Er...I think it suits you" Edith announced unconvincingly as she turned Dec around in his swivel chair to face the large mirror.

"Oh my God" Dec exclaimed in a shocked voice.

"I'm ginger!"