Star angry pal did not seek his help
AN emotional Declan Donnelly has admitted he thought he had “lost” best pal Anthony McPartlin for ever when he went into rehab to fight drink and drug demons.
In an emotive interview for documentary Ant & Dec’s
DNA Journey, McPartlin revealed that he feared he would never work again.
He thought the public had “had enough” of him following his 2018 drinkdriving conviction.
The pair speak openly about
Ant’s troubles in the middle of their documentary which had to take a two-year break during filming when Ant was off screen and fighting his addictions.
Ant, 43, said: “The last few years have been quite emotional, hard.”
Dec, 44, said: “It has tested the bond we have shared since we were 13 years old. I was angry at the start. “Disappointed that he didn’t come to me Ant & Dec’s partnership strained and say, ‘I am struggling, I need you’ because that is what I would do.”
Ant added: “I knew he was angry and understandably so because my actions affected him and his loved ones.”
Asked if he thought he might lose him, Dec added: “Yes. There was a point where I thought that was it.”
Ant said: “I had to think of everything other than work, concentrate on me and repairing relationships.”
Dec added: “I became really sad, because to be in those depths of despair, he must have been so unhappy.”
The interview was interspersed with clips of them in happier times with Ant out of rehab and the pair back together.
Ant said: “Dec has been fantastic, he is a very kind man who has been supportive of me. I will be for ever thankful for the love we had.
“I thought the public had had enough and I wouldn’t be allowed to do what I love anymore. But being back on screen and seeing the love people have shown has been quite overwhelming.”
Speaking at a London screening of the DNA doc, the duo said they are looking forward to returning to the jungle for I’m A Celebrity. “I love the show and I am chomping at the bit,” said Ant.