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
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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
Bromance rating:
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’
Bromance rating:
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
Bromance rating:
The movie stars
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck
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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’.
Bromance rating:
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
Bromance rating: