India, Oct. 14 -- Popular YouTubers Dan Howell and Phil Lester surprised fans on Monday by officially confirming their long-rumored romantic relationship. In a new video posted to their shared channel on Monday, the duo revealed that they have been dating since 2009, the year they first met.

The video opens with Howell sitting down on camera and addressing the long-standing speculation, "Alright, let's get this over with. Are Dan and Phil in a relationship?"

Without hesitation, Lester responds simply, "Yes."

Later in the video, they shared more personal details about how their relationship began and evolved.

"We fell into it hard and fast in 2009 and here we are almost 16 years later," Howell said.

Jokingly, Lester responded, "Stop t...