As Anthony McPartlin embarks on a two-month stint in rehab, his lifelong friend and colleague, Declan Donnelly has shown his support in the most heart-warming way.
Dec has confirmed he won’t be filming I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here unless his ‘brother’ is by his side on screen.
Dec, 41, is confident that his other half, Ant, also 41, will make a full recovery from his addiction to prescription drugs and alcohol through a journey of rehabilitation.
A source close to the duo told the Mirror:
Dec wouldn’t work on screen without Ant on any major show and he has said the last thing he would do is go to Australia without him.
Ant and Dec are a team with a huge emotional bond, they are like brothers and and Dec will only be hosting I’m A Celebrity with Ant by his side.
They’ve got months yet to sort things out and the hope is that Ant will bounce back with another hit series of I’m A Celebrity and they will move on from this chapter in their career.
The source also quashed rumours that Holly Willoughby would be replacing Ant, adding: “To say he would consider working with Holly was ridiculous. He is a good friend of hers but he would not do that to Ant.”
Ant bravely announced his problems with addiction, which stemmed from chronic knee pain. After having an operation to end his suffering, McPartlin got hooked on Tramadol and self-medicated with excessive drink and drugs.
In a statement Ant said:
I feel like I have let a lot of people down and for that I am truly sorry. I want to thank my wife, family and closest friends for helping me through this really difficult time.
I’ve spoken out because I think it’s important that people ask for help if they’re going through a rough time and get the proper treatment to help their recovery. The first step is to admit to yourself you need help.
ITV producers believe the national treasures will return to host the show, which is billed to air in November. Our thoughts are with Ant and Dec – as well as Ant’s family and friends and his wife, Lisa – during this road to recovery.
If you are struggling with addiction, please do not suffer in silence. Contact Alcoholics Anonymous on 0800 9177 650, Action On Addiction via 0300 330 0659 or Mind on 0300 123 3393 to speak to someone who can help.
A former emo kid who talks too much about 8Chan meme culture, the Kardashian Klan, and how her smartphone is probably killing her. Francesca is a Cardiff University Journalism Masters grad who has done words for BBC, ELLE, The Debrief, DAZED, an art magazine you’ve never heard of and a feminist zine which never went to print.