ANT DOES VANISHING ACT
Star ducks out of Cowell booze-up
TROUBLED star Ant McPartlin was nowhere to be seen as best mate Declan Donnelly partied with the Britain’s Got Talent gang.
While Dec lived it up with Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, David Walliams and Amanda Holden, Ant was conspicuous by his absence.
Star gives boozy BGT bash elbow
TROUBLED Ant McPartlin missed out as best mate Declan Donnelly partied with the rest of the Britain’s Got Talent gang. The telly king was nowhere to be seen as Dec lived it up in Mayfair with BGT boss Simon Cowell and judges Alesha Dixon, David Walliams and Amanda Holden. They were all snapped laughing and grinning leaving an exclusive restaurant at 1.30am after a boozy evening. Dec even brought his wife and agent Ali Astall along for the bash in place of his pal, who has been treated for drug and alcohol addiction. Ant, who announced he is divorcing wife Lisa, hasn’t been seen boozing publicly since he was admitted to rehab last summer. He is said to have adopted a new clean-living lifestyle after getting hooked on painkillers following a botched knee op. The Geordie host, 42, was told he could have died when he was taken to hospital at 5am after boozing while taking medication. Ant and Dec both revealed they were closer than ever after they bagged three National Television awards on Tuesday. But it is thought they wound down from their emotional success quietly, instead of their partying antics from previous years. Music mogul Si, however, was seen red-faced and puffing away on cigarettes as he left the restaurant.
Swanky
That is despite him saying he would live a cleaner lifestyle following his own health scare in October.
The 58-year-old was rushed to hospital after falling down the stairs at home.
But he looked quite happy as the gang stumbled out of the swanky eaterie.
The dad-of-one pecked babes Alesha and Amanda on the cheek before getting into a car. The two female judges both dared to bare all in revealing tops for the work do.
BGT started filming in Blackpool last week just days after Ant’s divorce revelation.
Protective Simon is believed to have taken his troubled star under his wing as he tries to get over his marriage split hell.
He has been giving his top talent rides in a private jet and making him feel “special” as his recovery continues.
Ant and Dec are reportedly planning an emotional golfing getaway after they finish the next chunk of filming for BGT and Saturday Night Takeaway.
They were reunited in Oz after spending the longest time apart since they met on Byker Grove in 1989.
Following their NTA glory, Dec revealed his happiness at getting his best pal back.
“We were apart for longer than we’ve ever been but it was for the best,” he said.
“We’ve not worked apart since we were 13 years old.
“It’s weird, it’s just odd and even when we’re not working we hang out together, we live in the same street, we play golf together.”
He added: “Ant got well and we were back on it in Australia. If anything it’s just made us realise how much we enjoy doing what we’re doing and it’s put things in perspective.”
The national treasures picked up the Best Television Presenter award for an incredible 17th year in a row.