PHAN FICTION

Thank you, Dan and Phil.

Who are Dan and Phil? That is a question that I hear quite frequently, given the countless number of times I’ve found myself accidentally professing my love for them to complete strangers.

For those who are unaware, Dan and Phil are two British Youtubers. They make and post videos online, and share portions of their lives with the ever so loving following of adolescents that they have acquired (Referred to as the “phandom”). To people who do not know or care for them, Daniel Howell and Philip Lester are two random adult men, who’s banter is somewhat comical and who’s talent for being anything but mediocre is somewhat tragic. However, to their audience of truly caring followers, they are the sun, moon, and stars.

It is difficult to sum up what Dan and Phil mean to me, let alone what they mean to every single one of their millions of subscribers. Every human is different, and whether that difference is slight or drastic, we all seem to gravitate towards certain ideals. Therefore, I am going to attempt to sum up my own feelings towards Dan, Phil, and the world they have created. I invite you along to hopefully relate to some of my innermost thoughts spilt right onto this page.

I began watching Dan and Phil nearly 3 years ago (which is nothing compared to some of the more “long term” phandom members). It was originally out of guilt, since my best friend had been bugging me for months to just give their quirky videos a try. In my late night daze, I unwillingly agreed to watch one video, which then turned into 5, which eventually turned into 30. Somewhere between trying to please my friend and admitting defeat against my will to not become obsessive over anyone or anything, I began to see something special in these two guys. I felt something I had never quite felt before, and to this day, I am still not exactly sure what it was.

Soon I became swooped up in the world of Dan and Phil. PINOF, whiskers, gaming, fan fiction, running a phan account, Internet Support Group, Why I Was A Weird Kid, baking videos, TABINOF, and beyond. Just a few months later in February of 2016, I was absolutely beaming when I found out I had gotten VIP meet and greet tickets to their stage show, TATINOF. So excited that even the urge to type that last sentence in all caps was incredibly strong. I was finally going to meet the two guys I had centered the last 6 months of my life around. Cut to November of 2017, and I was even more ecstatic to have landed VIP tickets to Interactive Introverts, Dan and Phil’s newest around the world escapade.  I could legitimately write a novel about those two very emotional days, however, the painstaking details of my tour experience are not what I am here to focus on.

Now that I have explained myself as a phandom member, I am going to dig deeper into the emotional aspects of Dan and Phil’s relationship with their audience. There are a lot people that these two beautiful boys have really spoken to, many of whom credit Dan and Phil with saving their lives. The connection between the two is so incredibly special, and I think their bond’s strength helps a heap with the connection between them and their audience. It’s like a beautiful mutualistic relationship. I ask anyone who is not a fan of Dan and Phil, especially any irritated friends, parents, or siblings, to look a little closer at the feelings your loved one may hold for the pair. I think for many fans, it isn’t just the accents or the humor or the cuteness. It is the fact that the content Dan and Phil upload helps people. It reaches into each and every one of their lives and in its own way says “You are cared for, you are not alone, and there is always, always something to smile about.”

Dan and Phil have always been good at being the adorable, clumsy, 6ft tall humans that make a bunch of teenagers around the world freak out simultaneously. But what people don’t really touch on is that they have inspired a generation. I don’t care who you are; there is something valuable that you could learn from Dan and Phil’s videos. Their creativity and kindness is so much a part of the massive following that has accumulated over the past decade. I am reminded every day to accept myself and be genuinely kind to others, all because of them.  

I haven’t even begun to mention the relationships formed throughout the community of Phan (Dan+Phil) lovers. Right now, I’m up to my eyeballs in supportive friendships I have made within the online world of Dan and Phil. Some of the best people in my life share this love with me, and it has been so exceptionally moving to see the many real life bonds I have formed with people, simply because we idolize the same two Youtubers.

I may not personally know Dan and Phil, but I have decided on one thing. I cannot predict the future, but I do know Dan and Phil have left a lasting mark on my life. This love of them very well may be one of my teenage phases. I am fairly certain that once I am a grown woman, their banter that means so very much to me right now, may not spark the same intrigue. I know though, that they have shown me that it is possible for me to be passionate. In the past, Dan and Phil have made me so incredibly happy and they have brought more positivity into my life than I can even properly comprehend. As I go forth on my journey through life, I know I will always reminisce fondly on the cherished memories I have of Dan and Phil. If life ever makes me feel as though I haven’t the ability to be cheerful, I will look back on the times where the iconic duo made me smile so much my face hurt with joy, or when I screamed so loudly during their shows, that I simply couldn’t speak for the following 3 days. I will remember the friends I made through them, and the relationships that were strengthened through the love of them both. I will most likely grow out of my Dan and Phil phase, but I will never grow out of Dan and Phil, as they have become a part of who I am. The bond between them and I, while not exactly mutual, has influenced my life in ways that are as everlasting as the sun (kudos to anyone who caught that reference). While the future is unknown, I hope that Dan and Phil can find the happiness in their lives and in each other, that they have managed to instill in me from the moment I began watching their videos, till the moment I am no longer a part of this universe. (Sorry if that was existential crisis inducing.)

From the bottom of my heart, this is my thank you letter to Dan and Phil.