Dan and Phil Finally Confirm Their 15-Year Relationship: “Yes, We’ve Been Together Since 2009”

After over a decade of whispers, speculation, and millions of fans trying to read between the lines, beloved creators Dan Howell and Phil Lester are finally ready to talk.

In a heartfelt — and very on-brand — video posted to their shared YouTube channel, the iconic duo sat down to address the question they’ve been asked for years: Are Dan and Phil in a relationship?

Howell wasted no time jumping into it. Sitting on the familiar set, he opened with a wry smile, saying, “Alright, let’s get this over with. Are Dan and Phil in a relationship?” Lester looked straight at the camera and replied simply, “Yes.”

Howell dramatically stood up as if the conversation were over, joking, “Alright, bye.” But of course, fans got much more than just a one-word answer.

“We Fell Into It Hard and Fast in 2009”

As the two settled in, they began sharing the story that fans have speculated about for years. They revealed that their romantic relationship actually began in 2009 — the same year they met.

“We fell into it hard and fast in 2009,” Howell admitted, glancing at Lester with a smile. “And here we are almost 16 years later.”

Lester shot back playfully, “Stop telling me how long it was. So yeah… relationship, boyfriends.”

While fans may have expected a fairytale-style reveal, the pair emphasized that their relationship wasn’t something they ever set out to label or publicize.

“It was so fast that we never labeled it,” Howell explained. “We just ended up living together and here we are.”

This quiet, unspoken bond has been one of the most speculated aspects of their lives since their early YouTube days. Their chemistry — on camera and off — fueled years of fan theories, but the two kept the truth private for reasons they’re only now ready to share.

A Journey Through the Years

Back in June 2019, Howell came out as gay in an emotional YouTube video, while Lester released his own coming-out video shortly afterward. At the time, Howell briefly acknowledged that they had been romantically linked early in their friendship but declined to give further details about their relationship status.

Their silence, however, didn’t stop the support. Fans across the world have followed their journey — from their early vlogs to their gaming channel and massive world tours. Their friendship and creative partnership became a touchstone for millions of viewers growing up on YouTube in the 2010s.

After their wildly successful 2018 Interactive Introverts tour, both creators took time to explore their individual careers. Howell published the book You Will Get Through This Night and launched a solo tour in 2022 called We’re All Doomed. Meanwhile, Lester grew his solo channel AmazingPhil, continuing to create content in his signature warm, quirky style.

But even during their time apart professionally, their bond never went away.

In 2024, the pair embarked on the North American leg of their third joint tour, Terrible Influence, signaling to fans that their creative spark was still very much alive. Howell shared in an October 2024 interview with People magazine that Lester was actually the one who encouraged them to revive their joint gaming channel, which had been on hiatus since 2018.

“Coming home to our joint brand just felt natural,” Howell said. “It’s like muscle memory — it’s always been there.”

By the end of 2023, they were planning a new tour. By the end of 2024, they were ready to share something even more personal.

Not the “Perfect Couple”

Despite the excitement around their announcement, the pair were quick to keep expectations realistic.

“No, it’s not always perfect,” Lester admitted. “Don’t get it into your head that we are the ideal of human partnerships.”

Howell nodded. “We’ve had ups and downs like anybody. We’ve lived a thousand lifetimes of a normal person’s partnership, and I have no idea why we’ve survived.”

Their openness was raw and refreshing — a reminder that behind the internet personas are two real people who have grown together over the course of nearly two decades.

A New Chapter, Not a Rebrand

One of the biggest questions fans had after the announcement: would their content change now that they’re publicly a couple?

The answer, according to Dan and Phil, is a firm “no.”

The duo joked that they have “no plans to become couple vloggers in bed” or flood their channel with romantic content. “We’re not going to be like, ‘Hey guys, welcome to our daily couple routine,’” Howell laughed.

Instead, they’re excited to explore new creative avenues — as partners who no longer feel the need to dodge the obvious. One of those projects is their newly announced Dan and Phil Podcast, which they teased during the video.

“15 years of suppressing all of these stories and opinions and they’re finally gonna come out,” Lester joked, hinting that the podcast will be their most candid project yet.

A Full-Circle Moment for a Generation

For fans who grew up with Dan and Phil, this announcement isn’t just about two creators revealing their relationship. It’s a full-circle moment. The duo became pillars of early YouTube culture — known for their humor, sincerity, and unmistakable chemistry.

Many LGBTQ+ viewers have credited Dan and Phil with helping them navigate their own identities through humor and representation. Now, their decision to share their love story openly feels both monumental and deeply personal.

They’ve built their empire on friendship, trust, and shared creativity. And now, after 15 years of keeping their private life private, they’re finally letting the world in — just a little bit more.

“We’ve always been honest in our own way,” Howell concluded. “This is just the first time we’ve said it out loud.”

For a duo that defined a generation of YouTube, the next chapter isn’t about changing who they are — it’s about finally owning what they’ve always been.

And for millions of fans who’ve followed them since 2009, it’s a love story that’s been hiding in plain sight.