Stars back the other half
THE stars of Loose Women have expressed sympathy for Declan Donnelly and how his own career may be affected following his TV partner Ant McPartlin’s arrest.
Ant has taken a step back from his TV commitments and is returning to rehab after being arrested on Sunday, prompting the cancellation of his and Dec’s ITV programme Saturday Night Takeaway.
Loose Women, which airs on the same channel, addressed Ant’s recent troubles during yesterday’s broadcast.
Panellist Ruth Langsford spoke of the pair’s “amazing partnership and incredible friendship”, and Coleen Nolan added: “We’re all talking about Ant, it’s a terrible situation, but as well, for me, I was thinking ‘oh, poor Dec’.
“It must be so hard for him as well, he’s out on a limb.”
Presenter Nadia Sawalha said: “I suppose there is this enormous pressure, they are these two squeaky clean stars, and they’ve got to keep up that image. It must be terribly taxing on Dec.”
This Morning hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby said Ant must take responsibility for his actions.
Schofield said they were “shocked and saddened” by the news and that it was difficult to talk about because they were “talking about a friend”.
He added: “The overwhelming feeling we believe has to be that, no matter who you are, no matter what you do, if you get into a car having had a drink the responsibility is entirely yours. We wish Ant and all those involved in these sad events all the very best.”