Ant needs time to heal wounds
LOVED and lauded by so many, no amount of money or fame could shield Ant McPartlin from his personal demons when they became just too much to cope with.
The pressures of being in the public eye proved too much and it has shocked so many of us to see him on the front pages for all the wrong reasons.
Despite it all I feel the need to send him words of support, and I hope he takes all the time he requires to get well again.
As his best friend, Dec will be shocked and saddened too, and they both need the love and support of their fans at this very difficult time.
Sue Lear, Forest of Dean, Glos
# Addiction is an illness and it kills. What worries me is Ant’s money. We’ve seen it before with Best, Gascoigne and many others. Celebrities with plenty of money battling these demons. And it’s their affluence which contributes to their downfall. Was he wrong to drive? Yes. Should he be punished? Yes he should. But he needs help and support and I’m afraid he has a difficult struggle ahead of him, even with that help and support.
Name and address supplied
# It is obvious that Ant is not well. He needs support with everything he is going through at the moment, so he can get well again. My own opinion is he is suffering from some form of mental illness. I say good luck to him and I hope that he takes enough time off work to properly sort himself out.
Janet Davies, Falmouth, Cornwall
# When Ant came out of rehab last time he should not have gone straight back to work – even if that had meant Dec taking time off too. But that would have meant a loss of earnings, not only for them but others in the TV industry who have a vested interest in their career. They’ve had a good run, perhaps it’s now time for them both to think about retiring.
Bob Willoughby Leamington Spa, Warks
# I have been a huge fan of Ant and Dec for many years. Last year I felt sorry for Ant while he went through his problems. But now we need to think about Dec who will present next week’s Saturday Night Takeaway on his own. Perhaps this will give Ant the tough love he needs. It’s not all about Ant, it’s about time Dec got more support too. Wendy Peters St Helens, Merseyside # Personally, I think it is time Ant grew up and faced his decisions. I am afraid I have no sympathy for him and, like Alison Phillips (Mirror, March 21), I reckon he could have afforded a taxi last weekend. M Tuplin, Ulceby, North Lincs # I hope Ant is allowed the time he needs to recover fully. I would hate to see Dec be without him permanently as they have presented together for their whole careers. I wish them both all the very best for the future.
M Gallagher, South London