Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Si: It’s tough for Ant but we stand by him
Britain’s Got Talent boss Cowell backs troubled star
BRITAIN’S Got Talent boss Simon Cowell will stand by Ant Mcpartlin and insisted he is going “to get himself back together”.
Ant will be reunited with Declan Donnelly on TV screens tonight as BGT airs its pre-recorded audition shows.
The presenter is seen laughing, dancing and at one point in tears in the first episode filmed back in January.
But he will be absent from live shows after he stepped down from his TV commitments following a drink-drive charge in March and is now in rehab.
Ant is due to appear at Wimbledon magistrates court on Monday.
Speaking for the first time about Ant’s problems, Cowell said: “As you will see, we always stand by our friends. We are all human and when people go through tough times, our show of friendship is what we did in the first show. Nobody was excluded, it wasn’t awkward, but it is a very difficult time for him.
“We’ve known each other a long time and you stand by the people you have worked with over the years. The most important thing is he has manned up, he is going to get himself back together. The show goes on, it’s a simple as that.”
Asked if he would invite Ant back to work on the show in 2019, Cowell said: “Of course. This is what happens.”
He said it was likely the judging panel – David Walliams, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon – would remain next year. Cowell said he had not spoken directly to Ant and was speaking through his management and pal Dec.
But he has spoken to Ant’s estranged wife Lisa Armstrong, who is a make-up artist on BGT. They announced plans to split before auditions began.
Cowell said: “It was a tiny bit awkward the fact that Lisa was there. I spoke to her to let her know she is still welcome.”
He backed Dec to do well on the live shows, after successful solo episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway, adding: “Ant would be a million per cent supportive.”
Cowell said of series 12: “The first two episodes are the best I’ve seen in years.”
The new series of Britain’s Got Talent starts tonight at 8pm on ITV.
BRITAIN’S Got Talent has given us some huge acts over the years including Paul Potts and Susan Boyle.
But it has also allowed contestants to develop different skills to the ones with which they auditioned...
RHIAN LUBIN catches up with stars who have taken on new crafts as the show returns tonight on ITV at 8pm.