National Treasures Ant and Dec wish Life Science Centre a Happy 25th Birthday

Britain’s favourite TV duo Ant and Dec have joined the celebrations to mark Newcastle’s Life Science Centre’s milestone 25th birthday.

The iconic duo, both from Newcastle, have made a video congratulating the team at Life on 25 incredible years, reflecting on the impact the site has made.

Wishing Life a “Huge Happy Birthday”, Dec went on to congratulate the centre for being “a beacon of science for the region” with Ant thanking Life “for the amazing work you do – here’s to the next 25 years!”

The proud Geordies were part of Life Science Centre’s opening story, featuring in an early video promoting the centre when it opened.

Britain’s first astronaut Helen Sharman also joined in the celebrations of the unique site, sending a birthday message congratulating Life for being an amazing place to “explore the wonders of the universe – life in space and life on earth”.

Since opening, an average of 250,000 people each year have visited the science centre, enjoying a range of family friendly hands-on exhibits, live science shows and the region’s most advanced planetarium - as well as curriculum linked schools’ workshops and special events for pre-schoolers and adults.

Life, which was officially opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2000 to mark the new millennium, is a vibrant science hub in the heart of the city, bringing together scientists, clinicians, technologists and educationalists from around the world, on one site.

At the heart of the site is the science centre, which has invested £1.5 million on its latest collection of immersive and interactive exhibits created by internationally recognised artists and specialists.

Lightbox, focuses on light, colour and sound and includes an interactive digital water display by BAFTA-winning games studio Preloaded and an 8-metre-high moving wave exhibit, created by artist Paul Friedlander, whose work has been shown on four continents.

As a special thank you to people across the North East, entry prices to the science centre will be reduced by 25% for the May half term holiday week.

Ant and Decs birthday message: https://youtu.be/qaUXoSm8hiM?si=W-pwqYg6NPG0IwOe

Life’s opening video (featuring Ant and Dec) https://youtu.be/wYb_wJLF-rU

Helen Sharman’s birthday message: https://youtu.be/9Et7qr8cQRQ?si=BySWfzCfRV_ZXTkF