Ant McPartlin SLAMS Piers Morgan for 'belittling' his addiction recovery
Published 16th Feb 2019
Ant McPartlin is reportedly furious with Piers Morgan following his 'belittling' comments about Ant's recovery
Piers Morgan is known for ruffling feathers - and this time it's with his former BGT co-star, Ant McPartlin.
Ant is reportedly furious with Piers after the GMB presenter made some rather harsh comments following Ant and Dec's award nomination a the National Television Awards in January.
Ahead of the ceremony, Piers voiced his anger on television, questioning why Ant was up for a nomination when he's been "walking the dog for a year" and "sitting on his backside."
Ant and Dec did in fact go on to win the category and whilst accepting his award, an emotional Ant thanked voters, "I don’t really feel like I can accept this award this year. The one reason why we won the award this year is because of this guy."
And now Ant has been left reeling following Piers' rude comments.
"Ant sent him an email saying he takes his recovery very seriously and he didn’t appreciate Piers belittling it. Ant presented nearly the whole series of Takeaway and all the audition shows of BGT. He then worked hard on his recovery. To suggest that all he did was walk the dog insults everyone who is in recovery or suffering from mental health issues", a source told The Mirror.
CHECK OUT A timeline of Ant and Dec's career
And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec as PJ and Duncan
In 1989 Dec landed a part on BBC children's drama Byker Grove, playing Duncan. A year later Ant was cast as PJ – PJ and Duncan was born.
Another career change for the boys came in 1994, when they began as co-presenters of children's show Gimme 5 on CITV. Just a year later they landed their own programme, The Ant & Dec Show, this time on CBBC.
Ant McPartlin SLAMS Piers Morgan for 'belittling' his addiction recovery
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Ant & Dec: Relationships
In 2015 Dec married his longtime manager Ali Astall and Ant was, of course, best man. And in July 2006, Dec acted as best man at Ant's wedding to make-up artist Lisa Armstrong.
Ant and Lisa, however, filed for divorce this month after 11 years of marriage.
And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec as PJ and Duncan
In 1989 Dec landed a part on BBC children's drama Byker Grove, playing Duncan. A year later Ant was cast as PJ – PJ and Duncan was born.
Another career change for the boys came in 1994, when they began as co-presenters of children's show Gimme 5 on CITV. Just a year later they landed their own programme, The Ant & Dec Show, this time on CBBC.
And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec became popstars
It wasn't just acting for the boys: PJ & Duncan were pop stars for a while, and became best known for their 1994 UK top 10 Let's Get Ready to Rhumble.
Their last studio album, The Cult of Ant and Dec, was released in 1997, managing to chart at number 15.
And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec hosted SMTV and CD:UK with Cat Deeley
This kicked off their kids' TV careers, and landed them their first BAFTA Awards.
After various other presenting gigs, Ant & Dec started hosting ITV's Saturday morning shows SMTV and CD:UK, alongside Cat Deeley, in 1998.
But, in 2001, they made the move from Saturday morning to prime time – for a little show called Pop Idol…
Ant & Dec: Primetime career
They hit the prime time with talent show Pop Idol
They presented Pop Idol for two years, before it replaced with The X Factor and Kate Thornton took over.
This gave them the opportunity to create and present Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, which is about begin its 13th series.
In 2002, a year after Saturday Night Takeaway's debut, the boys joined I'm a Celebrity and have become huge parts of the show.
Ant & Dec: Britain's Got Talent
Establishing themselves as the busiest presenters in the country, Ant & Dec signed up for Britain's Got Talent in 2006 – and a year later signed a two-year golden handcuffs deal with ITV, which was thought to be worth £40 million.
They have been hosting the show ever since, and are currently filming for the twelfth series of the show.
Ant & Dec: Awards
Among their numerous gongs, Ant & Dec have received the National Television Award for Most Popular Entertainment/TV Presenter for 15 years running. Most recently, at the 2018 NTAs, the duo won Best Presenter.
Ant & Dec: Friendship
Ant previously revealed his friendship with Dec started in 1990, when he sent him a Christmas card and invited him to a football match.
He said: "And that was that. It just happened immediately. We clicked. We'd spend all day making each other laugh and annoying everyone and quoting Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer lines to each other."
When their parts were written out of Byker Grove, the boys vowed to stick together. Dec told Weekend magazine: "We made a pact. We said to each other, 'Look, whatever happens, I'll always be there for you and you're never in this life on your own or against the world – you've always got a mate looking out for you."
Even though they work together, Ant & Dec make sure they go out together at least once a week – and even live three doors apart in London!
Dec said: "It's our choice to socialise outside work. And we both get to go to work with our best mate every day. And that keeps our feet on the ground."
Ant added: "We love each other, definitely."
Ant & Dec: Relationships
In 2015 Dec married his longtime manager Ali Astall and Ant was, of course, best man. And in July 2006, Dec acted as best man at Ant's wedding to make-up artist Lisa Armstrong.
Ant and Lisa, however, filed for divorce this month after 11 years of marriage.
And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec as PJ and Duncan
In 1989 Dec landed a part on BBC children's drama Byker Grove, playing Duncan. A year later Ant was cast as PJ – PJ and Duncan was born.
Another career change for the boys came in 1994, when they began as co-presenters of children's show Gimme 5 on CITV. Just a year later they landed their own programme, The Ant & Dec Show, this time on CBBC.
And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec became popstars
It wasn't just acting for the boys: PJ & Duncan were pop stars for a while, and became best known for their 1994 UK top 10 Let's Get Ready to Rhumble.
Their last studio album, The Cult of Ant and Dec, was released in 1997, managing to chart at number 15.
And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec hosted SMTV and CD:UK with Cat Deeley
This kicked off their kids' TV careers, and landed them their first BAFTA Awards.
After various other presenting gigs, Ant & Dec started hosting ITV's Saturday morning shows SMTV and CD:UK, alongside Cat Deeley, in 1998.
But, in 2001, they made the move from Saturday morning to prime time – for a little show called Pop Idol…
Ant & Dec: Primetime career
They hit the prime time with talent show Pop Idol
They presented Pop Idol for two years, before it replaced with The X Factor and Kate Thornton took over.
This gave them the opportunity to create and present Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, which is about begin its 13th series.
In 2002, a year after Saturday Night Takeaway's debut, the boys joined I'm a Celebrity and have become huge parts of the show.
Ant & Dec: Britain's Got Talent
Establishing themselves as the busiest presenters in the country, Ant & Dec signed up for Britain's Got Talent in 2006 – and a year later signed a two-year golden handcuffs deal with ITV, which was thought to be worth £40 million.
They have been hosting the show ever since, and are currently filming for the twelfth series of the show.
Ant & Dec: Awards
Among their numerous gongs, Ant & Dec have received the National Television Award for Most Popular Entertainment/TV Presenter for 15 years running. Most recently, at the 2018 NTAs, the duo won Best Presenter.
Ant & Dec: Friendship
Ant previously revealed his friendship with Dec started in 1990, when he sent him a Christmas card and invited him to a football match.
He said: "And that was that. It just happened immediately. We clicked. We'd spend all day making each other laugh and annoying everyone and quoting Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer lines to each other."
When their parts were written out of Byker Grove, the boys vowed to stick together. Dec told Weekend magazine: "We made a pact. We said to each other, 'Look, whatever happens, I'll always be there for you and you're never in this life on your own or against the world – you've always got a mate looking out for you."
Even though they work together, Ant & Dec make sure they go out together at least once a week – and even live three doors apart in London!
Dec said: "It's our choice to socialise outside work. And we both get to go to work with our best mate every day. And that keeps our feet on the ground."
Ant added: "We love each other, definitely."
Ant & Dec: Relationships
In 2015 Dec married his longtime manager Ali Astall and Ant was, of course, best man. And in July 2006, Dec acted as best man at Ant's wedding to make-up artist Lisa Armstrong.
Ant and Lisa, however, filed for divorce this month after 11 years of marriage.
In 2015, Ant was prescribed painkillers for botched surgery on his knee. Over the next two years, he became dependent on the drugs and on alcohol. In 2017, he entered rehab to deal with his addictions, and returned to work in the November.
However, in March 2018, he was involved in a three-car road collision which involved a young family. He was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, and pleaded guilty in court in April. He was fined £86,000 and banned from driving for 20 months, and stepped down from his TV duties in August 2018, returning in January 2019.
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