ITV boss confirms Ant McPartlin WILL return to presenting

ITV's chief executive has spoken out

Author: Alex RossPublished 26th Jul 2018
Last updated 27th Jul 2018

It's been a tough year for popular TV presenter Ant McPartlin, the 42-year-old returned to rehab and stepped down from all TV duties following his arrest for drink driving in March. He was later charged, fined ÂŁ86,000 and banned from driving for 20 months.

But whilst Ant continues to stay out of the limelight to help him recover from his addictions, ITV's chief executive Carolyn McCall has confirmed the Geordie star will return to his presenting roles when he is ready.

Carolyn told ITV News, "So, we wish Ant well. Clearly he won't come back a moment too soon.

"So I mean, he will come back when he's well and when he is ready to come back, and ITV will not be putting him under any pressure to come back unless he's well and fit enough to come back."

After Ant's arrest in March, ITV initially released a statement confirming the presenter would be returning to rehab.

The statement read, "Ant has decided to go back into treatment and step down from his current TV commitments. He has spoken with Dec and ITV today and asked for time off for the foreseeable future."

Ant's best friend and co-presenter Dec Donnelly then done a grand job of hosting the final two episodes of Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, as well as the Britain's Got Talent live shows.

See all of the Britain's Got Talent winners to date:

Despite ITV's chief executive Carolyn McCall confirming that Ant will return, it's not understood when, although fans will be hoping he's back in time for the brand new series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! later in the year.

However, Ant's friend Stephen Mulhern seemed to rule out any hope of Ant appearing on the show in November, admitting he doesn't expect him to return until 'next year'.

Speaking to Best Magazine, Stephen said, “Fingers crossed, Ant will get the treatment he needs and be back to his old self for next year.

"But he does need the rest and to be left alone, and given the time to recover."

Check out Ant and Dec's career timeline below:

Swipe through to see Ant and Dec's career timeline...


ITV boss confirms Ant McPartlin WILL return to presenting
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Meanwhile, as he recovers from his addictions, Ant is enjoying spending time with PA, Anne-Marie Corbett.

Anne-Marie, who separated from her husband last October, has been seen with Ant since March this year, with reports suggesting the couple are now dating.