As men of the Tinder generation are finding it harder to connect with women, they’re turning to their male friends for emotional support. Miranda Thompson rates the new celebrity bondings
The reality stars
Chris Hughes and Kem Cetinay
This summer millions of Love Island fans were glued to the blossoming bromance between Gloucester farmer Chris and Essex hairdresser Kem, who even talked about getting matching bracelets to symbolise their friendship. The lovable duo, who have since become the first couple from the series to star in a spin-off TV show, recently released a workout DVD together
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The party- goers
Harry Styles and Nick Grimshaw
Once-inseparable Harry and Nick – known for coordinating outfits and their love of a big night out à deux – showed their relationship was still going strong when Nick was recently chosen to front former One Directioner Harry’s music special on the BBC. Radio 1 DJ Nick was also the host of Harry’s ‘listening party’ for his debut solo album this year. ‘We have the same sense of humour,’ says Harry
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The luvvies
Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart
Theatre’s greatest bromance started in the 1970s when the pair met at the Royal Shakespeare Company, but the two knights really bonded while filming movie franchise X-Men. Ian even officiated at Patrick’s 2013 wedding to his third wife. ‘We’re the same actor, really,’ Ian says. ‘We’ve had the same career. We’re equals, not rivals’
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The sportsmen
David Beckham and Dave Gardner
Football legend David met best friend Dave aged 14 when both joined the Manchester United youth team. While David went on to become one of the nation’s best players, Dave left the club in his late teens, later setting up as an agent (he’s now one of the biggest in the Premier League). They’ve remained close: they were best men at each other’s weddings and are godfathers to each other’s children – David to Sailor, Dave’s first child with actress Liv Tyler
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The TV treasures
Ant & Dec
The duo met when they played best friends on children’s TV show Byker Grove. The chemistry translated into real life and, as well as releasing hit single ‘Let’s Get Ready to Rhumble’ as PJ & Duncan (their Byker Grove characters), their presenting career has been wildly successful. They’re also neighbours, living on the same street in Chiswick, West London. While Ant’s recent stint in rehab for prescription pills kept them apart, the pair reunited for I’m A Celebrity… Ant says of Dec: ‘I love him to bits. There’s a great love between the pair of us’
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The movie stars
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck
Hollywood’s favourite acting duo have been best pals since boyhood when they lived two blocks away from each other in Massachusetts. They once shared a bank account to fund travel to auditions. It paid off: in 1998 the pair won an Oscar for Good Will Hunting, which they co-wrote. They now collaborate through their production company Pearl Street Films, including making the latest Bourne movie
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The Broadway stars
Alfie Boe and Michael Ball
This musical power couple has been ten years in the making. Alfie and Michael met while starring in Kismet in 2007 before performing in one-off concerts together. The pair have now twice topped the UK music charts with their collaborative albums of West End hits and film soundtrack covers. ‘There’s nothing better than sharing a stage with a friend who you know has got your back,’ Michael says. ‘It’s the best possible scenario’
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The politicians
Silvio Berlusconi and Vladimir Putin
The odd couple of international politics have been friends for more than a decade. After Berlusconi was banned from the Italian parliament in 2013, Putin reportedly offered him Russian citizenship. They’ve even been photographed in matching hats. Most strangely, the former Italian prime minister gave the Russian leader a duvet cover emblazoned with a life-size image of the two to celebrate his 65th birthday
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