“Phan Is Real”: Dan and Phil Confirm 16-Year Relationship in New YouTube Video

After more than a decade of speculation, British YouTubers Dan Howell and Phil Lester have officially confirmed they’ve been in a relationship, and have been for nearly sixteen years.

In a new video released today on their shared YouTube channel, the long-time collaborators addressed one of the internet’s most persistent questions. Sitting side by side, Howell opened the clip by saying, “Alright, let’s get this over with. Are Dan and Phil in a relationship?”

Without missing a beat, Lester replied simply, “Yes.”

Howell then jokingly stood up to leave the frame, saying, “Alright, bye,” before turning back to the camera with a grin: “Oh, sorry, you wanted more, did you?”

The pair went on to reflect on their journey together, revealing that their relationship began in 2009. “We fell into it hard and fast in 2009, and here we are almost 16 years later,” Howell admitted.

Lester laughed, adding, “15 years of suppressing all of these stories and opinions and they're finally gonna come out.”

The news comes after years of fan speculation and so-called “Phan” theories that suggested the duo’s bond extended beyond friendship. Both creators publicly came out as gay in 2019, but until now had remained private about the nature of their relationship.

Fans have long followed the pair’s creative and personal partnership, from their early YouTube collaborations and their shared flat to their joint projects like The Amazing Tour Is Not on Fire and the Dan and Phil Games channel.

Today’s confirmation marks a major moment for one of YouTube’s most beloved duos, and for the millions of fans who grew up watching them.

As the internet collectively celebrates, one thing’s clear: after sixteen years together, Phan was real all along.