Ant was ‘part of decision’ for Holly to take on I’m A Celeb

Holly Willoughby has said Ant McPartlin was part of the decision that she would fill in for him hosting I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here.

The This Morning star will present the series alongside Declan Donnelly this year, while McPartlin takes a break from his presenting jobs following his arrest for drink-driving.

She told Mail On Sunday’s You magazine: “We’ve spoken and he’s happy – he was part of the decision that I’d do it.

“He just needs to look after himself, that’s the most important thing.”

Willoughby, 37, added that landing the high- profile job was “definitely bittersweet”.

She said: “I’m A Celebrity is a huge show but nobody wanted to have to be asked to do it. It’s not nice for anyone.

“He knows I’ll look after the show and keep it warm for him.”

The transition will be made easier because Willoughby has a long friendship with Donnelly, and she said: “On I’m A Celebrity it’s important to have chemistry and to have a friendship as a starting point you can grow from.

“It’s that unspoken thing: you know how the other person speaks, how their sentences are going to end. That helps a lot.”

Willoughby also addressed her decision to walk away from her lifestyle brand Truly, just weeks before its launch.

She said: “When you’re making a decision that involves your children a certain amount of clarity comes with it.

“It was the right thing. You can’t do everything, and actually I don’t think manyofuswanttodo everything.”

Holly Willoughby