Ant McPartlin Troubled TV host heads back to rehab after arrest for drink-driving
TROUBLED Ant McPartlin sensationally quit TV last night after he was arrested for drink-driving following a crash that left a three-yearold girl injured.
The award-winning presenter announced he is stepping down from all his work commitments and is returning to rehab.
The announcement comes after ITV said it is pulling hit show Saturday Night Takeaway from the schedule this weekend.
McPartlin, 42, has been presenting the top-rated show with longterm sidekick Declan Donnelly for 16 years.
Making the bombshell announcement, Ant and Dec’s publicist said: “Ant has decided to go back into treatment and step down from his current TV commitments.
“He has spoken with Dec and ITV today and asked for time off for the foreseeable future.”
It came after McPartlin held crisis talks with his representatives at his mother’s £2million detached home in Chiswick, west London.
He has been staying there since splitting with wife Lisa, 41, after 11 years of marriage.
Last night Lisa, who lives half a mile away at the former family home, declined to comment on the drama saying simply: “I’m sorry. I’m not interested.”
The Bafta-winning star, who could face up to six months in jail if he is charged and convicted of drinkdriving, looked a disconsolate figure as he returned home shortly after 3am yesterday morning following his release from police custody more than 11 hours after the crash.
He was arrested on Sunday afternoon after he allegedly lost control of his £26,000 special edition Mini Cooper before smashing into two cars at around 4pm.
Eyewitnesses described McPartlin as being “dazed” as he climbed out from behind the wheel of the wrecked car and was seen shouting at his mother Christine Woodhall.
It is alleged the presenter became “agitated and argumentative” with a woman police officer who was called to the scene.
Jake Spencer said: “The woman was trying to arrest him. He seemed to be trying to wriggle out of her clutches. He was not in a good way.”
Witnesses claimed McPartlin’s black Mini veered into the wrong lane after coming round a sharp bend near Mortlake, south-west London, around two miles from his home.
The car hit a green Mini with a family inside before crashing into a BMW X5. Police said “a number of individuals” were treated at the scene for minor injuries and a child passenger was taken to hospital for checks.
The crash happened just hours after the live broadcast of the latest episode of Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
McPartlin was seen later that night relaxing at the London studios. Dressed in a white shirt, he was pictured enjoying a drink and a smoke and chatting with friends and colleagues.
Last night an ITV spokesman said: “We very much hope that he gets the help that he needs.”
Yesterday celebrities rallied round the star whose high-flying career came crashing down last summer when he booked himself into rehab for drink and prescription drug addictions.
ITV colleague Lorraine Kelly spoke up for the star saying: “Poor guy. He’s such a professional.” But not everyone was so supportive.
Controversial columnist Katie Hopkins wrote on Twitter: “Sycophantic fawning from celebrity media over Ant McPartlin, Would you be so forgiving of a drunk driver from a council estate? A three-yearold is hurt. Sort yourself out or sod off, you selfish git.”
‘He asked ITV for time off – Saturday Night Takeaway will not be going ahead’