DEC: I NEARLY DITCHED ANT OVER DRINK SHAME
Star says TV partner’s car crash was ‘indefensible’ and tested their friendship
DECLAN Donnelly has admitted he thought about dumping TV partner Ant McPartlin after his pal got caught drink-driving.
The 43-year-old told how he was furious and upset when he heard his troubled co-star had crashed into a car carrying children last March.
A friend said: “His reaction was anger at how stupid Ant had been. It could have finished them as a duo.” It comes as Ant and Dec prepare to be reunited on TV in Britain’s Got Talent next week.
DECLAN Donnelly has told of his fury at Ant McPartlin’s moment of madness that nearly split Britain’s most successful TV double act.
The 43-year-old admitted he considered ditching his pal after he crashed into a car carrying children while over the limit on booze last March.
Ant, 43, had already been battling drink and drug addictions as his marriage collapsed and his life spiralled out of control.
But Dec said the offence was “indefensible” and he considered pulling the plug on their partnership.
When asked if he had considered separating from his on-screen partner of almost 30 years, he said he would be lying if he had not considered it, but that ultimately he wanted his partner healthy and happy, and the relationship back on track. A
friend of the pair said: “It was totally natural for Dec to feel how he did and his instant reaction was anger and annoyance at how stupid Ant had been.
“He couldn’t believe what happened. It could have finished them as a duo. “But the thought of splitting was only for a fleeting moment and then Dec’s thoughts turned to concern for his best friends and trying to help him overcome his demons.”
The friend told how Ant and Dec had a series of private “heart-to-heart talks” aimed at clearing the air and moving forward after the drink-drive shame.
In an interview with the Guardian, the pair revealed Ant’s issues had brought them closer again after a period of not sharing their true feelings and problems.
Ant said: “For the first time in many years, all we talked about were deep things like how we felt, and what the future held, and where we were, and all the chaos that has come along, especially for me.”
Ant and Dec return to TV as a duo next Saturday for the first time in a year on ITV show Britain’s Got Talent.
The pair began filming in January and Ant cried on stage when he received a huge ovation from the audience at the London Palladium.
Ant was more than twice the legal limit when he smashed into two other cars in South West London last March. He was driving his mother, and both cars he hit contained children.
In April after a court appearance, he was fined £86,000, believed to be a British record for drink-driving, and banned from driving for 20 months.
Ant has also been going through a divorce from ex-wife Lisa Armstrong. The couple split in January last year, five months after he left rehab. They were granted a decree nisi in October.
They have yet to agree the financial terms of the split. Talented make-up artist Lisa is due a large chunk of Ant’s £60million fortune.
After his partner went into rehab, Dec hosted I’m A Celebrity with Holly Willoughby and last year’s live Britain’s Got Talent shows which he fronted solo. He and Ant were seen on screen winning a National TV Award in January. Dec was close to tears as he talked about them being best friends together.
Hugging Ant he said: “Thank you to everybody who sent kind and thoughtful messages to us. They kept me going.
“But I’ve got him back now and now we’re back together.”
His reaction was anger at how stupid Ant had been FRIEND OF PAIR ON DEC’S FURY AT PAL