Internet icons and former YOUR EX cover boys Dan Howell and Phil Lester have spoken publicly for the first time since confirming they’ve been in a relationship for 16 years — sending the internet into a full-on meltdown of love, laughter, and memes.
The beloved YouTubers and comedians, known for their quick wit and undeniable chemistry, finally addressed the long-running fan speculation in a video titled “Are Dan and Phil in a Relationship?”, uploaded on 13 October.
“One of the Biggest Conspiracies in Internet History”
In the 46-minute YouTube video — which has already clocked up nearly 2.5 million views — Howell and Lester open with the question fans have asked for over a decade.
“All right, let’s get this over with. Are Dan and Phil in a relationship?” Howell asks.
“Yes,” Lester replies simply.
From there, the pair reflect on how their relationship began, why they chose to keep it private, and how internet culture shaped that decision.
The couple met in 2009, when Howell was 18 and Lester was 22.
“We fell into it hard and fast,” Howell recalls. “So fast that we never labelled it — we just ended up living together, and here we are.”
By 2011, they’d moved in together, becoming one of the most recognisable duos of early YouTube. From joint gaming videos to comedy sketches, radio shows, and live tours, Dan and Phil became synonymous with the rise of the influencer era.
Coming Out, On Their Own Terms
Both men came out as gay in 2019, but neither had confirmed their romantic status until now. In the new video, they explained how relentless fan speculation — and a desire to be known for their work rather than their relationship — kept them from confirming things earlier.
“If it’s Dan and Phil the boyfriends introduced on the radio,” Lester said, “it sounds like: ‘Oh, that’s their gimmick.’”
Howell added that at the time, he was still coming to terms with his sexuality.
“I was deep in the closet in my mid-twenties. I hadn’t told anyone close to me. So to also be publicly known as part of a gay couple? That was terrifying.”
“Just Two Partners Feeling Grateful”
Following the video’s viral success — and trending worldwide on X — Dan and Phil took to Instagram to thank their fans for the overwhelming support.
Sharing a cosy selfie on their sofa, with Lester’s arm wrapped around Howell, they wrote:
“Just two partners feeling grateful for everyone’s thoughtful messages and insane s**tposts.”
The photo has already racked up nearly half a million likes, even surpassing engagement on their original relationship reveal post.
Internet Royalty, Finally Out and Proud
For many, Dan and Phil were early examples of queer representation online — even before they were out. Their honesty, awkward humour, and closeness helped shape a generation of queer teens growing up on YouTube in the 2010s.
Now, fans are celebrating the fact that they get to see the duo not just as collaborators, but as partners who’ve built an entire career — and life — together.
As one commenter put it under their Instagram post:
“Sixteen years later and the internet still belongs to Dan and Phil.”
