After sixteen years of whispers, fan theories, and endless YouTube comments, Dan Howell and Phil Lester, better known as Dan and Phil, have finally confirmed what so many people have suspected all along: they are in a relationship.
In a new video, Dan revealed that they “fell into it hard and fast in 2009,” and after years of silence, they are finally ready to say it out loud. The pair first rose to fame through their funny and charming YouTube videos, building one of the internet’s most loyal fanbases. They shared homes, projects, and world tours for years but never addressed the question that followed them everywhere.
“We can’t live in fear anymore,” Dan said, describing how the “constant stress of the Dan and Phil dating conspiracy” had hung over them for years.
Both Dan and Phil came out as gay in 2019, but they had always kept their relationship private. Dan explained that part of that secrecy came from his “extremely homophobic childhood,” which left him “deep in the closet.” He said that during his twenties, he was still hiding who he was from his friends, family, and even himself. In the midst of that, Phil became his “safe space.”
“What we had was the most important thing to me,” Dan said. “When people online tried to drag it into the light, I felt completely violated. Having all these people trying to out us was so triggering. Honestly, it could have killed me.”
Both of them reflected on how the public’s obsession and constant speculation took a serious toll on their mental health. Dan spoke about a recent therapy session where his therapist told him, “You love being in the closet.” He said that line made him realize how much of his life had been spent hiding from his truth.
Phil described the public confirmation as “a big, scary deal,” and said it felt like another “mini coming out.” Despite knowing it might attract negativity, both agreed that being open felt right.
“This is a scary time in the world,” Dan said, “but that’s why it’s more important than ever to say, ‘You know what? Here we are. Gay. And what?’”
Their announcement was met with an overwhelming wave of love and nostalgia from fans who have followed their journey for over a decade. Many said they felt a strange mix of happiness and relief. One person called it “gay independence day,” while another joked that they had finished several university degrees waiting for this moment.
