Television presenters Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have won a High Court order allowing them to trace alleged secret profits made from Banksy artwork transactions.

The duo, known professionally as Ant and Dec, brought legal action against an art consultant who worked for them, claiming the individual took "secret and unauthorised profits" from deals involving works by the anonymous street artist.

According to court documents filed in support of their claim, the television hosts believe there is a "good arguable case" that they are victims of wrongdoing. The court has granted them permission to pursue the matter further.

The High Court heard allegations that the art consultant engaged in unauthorized profit-taking during transactions involving Banksy pieces. The court order will enable the presenters to investigate and potentially recover any profits they claim were improperly obtained.

The legal action represents the latest dispute involving works by Banksy, whose pieces have commanded increasingly high prices at auction in recent years. The anonymous artist's work has become highly sought after by collectors and celebrities alike.