DEC’S ANGUISH AS ANT STARTS REHAB
Pal fights drugs & booze hell
WORRIED Declan Donnelly last night thanked fans who sent messages of support to pal Ant McPartlin after he checked into rehab to fight a drugs and booze addiction.
The Geordie said his TV sidekick would be moved to tears by the outpourings of love and best wishes.
DECLAN Donnelly last night thanked fans who sent messages of support to his pal Ant McPartlin after he checked into rehab for drug and drink addiction.
The Geordie expects his sidekick – whom he nicknames “The Big Fella” – will be moved to tears by the amount of love he has received from thousands of fans.
Dec, who was pictured flying out of London before Ant sought treatment, said: “Thank you for all the kind messages and well wishes for The Big Fella. He will be touched. Your support is, as ever, much appreciated. DD xx.”
Ant’s wife and Strictly make-up artist Lisa Armstrong tweeted: “Completely overwhelmed by all your love & support it means so much. I’m relieved he’s receiving the help he needs, we just need him better.”
The showbusiness world was rocked by the news yesterday that Ant had admitted to an addiction to prescription drugs and battles with substance and alcohol abuse.
Ant had become hooked on the painkiller tramadol after suffering a “botched” knee operation and had begun to suffer anxiety attacks over the fact he and his wife Lisa had failed to conceive a child.
This is said to have put a huge strain on their marriage.
Ant, 41, came clean about his problems just as he checked into a rehabilitation centre late on Saturday for the next two months.
He said: “I feel like I have let a lot of people down and for that I am truly sorry. I want to thank my wife, family and closest friends for helping me through this really difficult time.
“I’ve spoken out because I think it’s important that people ask for help if they’re going through a rough time and get the proper treatment to help their recovery.”
Celebrities and fans yesterday tweeted messages of support.
The Apprentice’s Lord Sugar led the way, saying: “Very brave Ant to go public. This is the first stage of the road to recovery. All the best Ant. It will all be sorted for sure.”
Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan said: “Few nicer people in showbusiness than Ant McPartlin. Wish him all the best as he sorts himself out.”
Former Olympic athlete Dame Kelly Holmes added: “As I say at every speech I do – we are all human! Best wishes to Ant. You will come back stronger, your fans love you.”
Ant’s anguish started in 2015 when he went under the knife to fix cartilage in the knee at a hospital which has not been named.
He told pals later the surgery was “botched” and his life has not been the same since.
It left him in agony and for many months Ant was unaware his knee was fractured. He ended up eroding the bone until his kneecap slipped.
Last night their close pal and showbiz agent Jonathan Shalit revealed he saw Ant clutching his knee brace backstage at the Britain’s Got Talent final two weeks ago.
But he said: “He never moaned or complained once about it. He did not want sympathy.”