POLICE: ANT TWICE THE LIMIT
Charge alleges star’s breathalyser reading was 75mcg
ANT McPartlin was allegedly more than twice the limit when arrested for drink-driving.
The TV star’s police charge claims he had “75 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath” after his three-car crash. The limit is 35mcg.
Ant, 42, has returned to rehab. He is due in court later this month.
ANT McPartlin’s troubles deepened last night with the revelation he was allegedly twice the legal limit when arrested for drink-driving.
The TV presenter’s breathalyser reading was 75mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath – the legal limit is 35 mcg.
Ant was held after being involved in a collision with two other cars while driving his Mini in Richmond, South West London, on March 18, one of which was carrying a four-year-old girl.
His charges allege the star: “Drove a motor vehicle, namely a Black Mini… after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in your breath, namely 75 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeded the prescribed limit.”
Ant, 42, was due to appear at Wimbledon magistrates court last week but the case was put back until later this month. The maximum sentence he could face is six months in jail plus a fine and driving ban.
Restaurant boss Faheem Vanoo was with his family in one of the cars involved in the smash and told last month how Ant appeared to lose control on a bend. He claimed: “His Mini came flying around a corner on the wrong side of the road trying to overtake a car. I hardly had time to react and turned in to the kerb to avoid a head-on collision.”
Ant entered rehab for a second time after being charged, which could mean he is off our TV screens for the rest of the year. The Mirror revealed this month how partner Dec Donnelly will present the live finals of Britain’s Got Talent alone when the ITV show returns.
He is also presenting the end of the current series of Saturday Night Takeaway – including this weekend’s finale at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida – supported by Scarlett Moffatt and Stephen Mulhern.
During last week’s show he joked he had “twice the amount of work to do”, and said: “I’ll have to do it myself, like everything else this week.”
A source said: “Ant wishes nothing but the best for Dec and fully backs him doing things solo. He is really sad he can’t be there but is determined to get better. Everyone is rallying around him.”
Saturday Night Takeaway was this week nominated for best entertainment show at the TV Baftas. The show has been a ratings hit, pulling in 7.7 million viewers and peaking with 8.6 million.
His Mini came round the corner on the wrong side of the road FAHEEM VANOO WHO WAS INVOLVED IN CRASH
Some overcame incredible odds, others suffered life-changing illnesses or faced heart-breaking separations from loved ones.
This week, these inspiring people have been enjoying the fun in Orlando, Florida, with Saturday Night Takeaway stars Declan Donnelly, Scarlett Moffatt and Stephen Mulhern.
During the TV series, viewers had been on the edge of their seats every week to hear if they had won one of 300 boarding passes and so be part of filming tonight’s finale in the US.
While Takeaway co-host Ant McPartlin has had to deal with his own dramas, it has also been an emotional rollercoaster for these viewers. Here, some take time out at Universal Studios in Florida to share their stories…
Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, tonight at 7pm on ITV.