‘Devastated’ Dec has not seen best pal Ant since nightmare crash
DECLAN Donnelly looked a forlorn figure yesterday as he appeared in public for the first time since pal Ant McPartlin was arrested over an alleged drink-drive car crash.
The presenter looked glum as he took a stroll with wife Ali two days after his TV partner was detained.
Donnelly, 42, is said to be “absolutely devastated” after his sidekick of nearly 30 years announced he was stepping down from all work commitments and returning to rehab.
The pair, loved by millions as Ant and Dec, are said to have spoken on the phone but have not seen each other since McPartlin reportedly failed a breath test following a crash with two other cars which left a four-year-old girl needing medical attention.
Witnesses told how McPartlin, 42, lost control of his £26,000 special edition Mini Cooper before ploughing into another Mini and a BMW coming from the other direction.
The TV duo have been battling problems since McPartlin booked himself into rehab for drink and prescription drug addictions last summer.
Donnelly, who once insisted the pair would stand by each other and remain best friends “whatever happened”, is now facing an uncertain future.
One source said: “Dec is absolutely devastated of course, but he is also incredibly supportive. They are much more than costars. They are best friends.” While Donnelly was out and about yesterday near his £4million home in Chiswick, west London, McPartlin – who split with wife Lisa, 41, in January after 11 years of marriage – remained holed up just half a mile away at his mother Christine Woodhall's house.
ITV is pulling Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway from its schedule this weekend.