Ant facing drink-drive charge
Dec to go solo on Saturday Night Takeaway:
ANT McPartlin has been charged with drink-driving following his arrest on Sunday, police have confirmed.
The Geordie TV presenter was involved in a collision in South West London.
The Metropolitan Police said that McPartlin will appear at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on April 4. A statement from the force said: “A man has been charged following a road traffic collision in Lower Richmond Road, SW14 that occurred on Sunday, 18 March. Anthony McPartlin, 42, of Chiswick has been charged by postal requisition on Wednesday, 21 March with drink driving. He will appear at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on 4 April.”
Following his arrest, McPartlin announced that he was stepping down from his TV commitments for the “foreseeable future” and would be going back to rehab.
Yesterday, Dec Donnelly confirmed that he would finish presenting this series of Saturday Night Takeaway alone.
He said: “Whilst I never thought I’d be in this position, after much discussion and careful consideration we’ve decided that the remaining two shows of this series of Saturday Night Takeaway will go ahead.
“We made a promise to take hundreds of deserving winners to watch the series finale, and we will honour that. Everyone at ITV and the Takeaway team feels we owe it to the audience to complete the series. Dec x.”
The Geordie duo, both 42, have been inseparable since starting out on Byker Grove. They have presented some of the biggest shows on British TV including Britain’s Got Talent and I’m A Celebrity.
The pair also revealed a pact to never present without each other in their 2010 autobiography.
Ant’s management have since confirmed he will be returning to rehab to seek treatment.
The upcoming episode of Saturday Night Takeaway had to be postponed and it is not known when we will see him back on screen.