After departing from Byker Grove, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly rose to fame as a popular television duo. However, in 2018, their success was overshadowed when Ant was arrested following a drink-driving incident in west London.
The incident occurred after Ant, aged 50, had undergone rehab for alcohol and painkiller addiction. Nearly eight years later, Declan expressed deep admiration for Ant’s transformation since the crash that involved a four-year-old passenger requiring medical attention.
Ant, a host of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, had collided with a BMW and a Mini Cooper while returning from walking his dogs in Richmond Park. He received an £86,000 fine, a driving ban reduced by five months, and a mandatory drink-driving course.
In an interview with The Times, Declan praised Ant for taking responsibility and making positive changes in his life. Ant, addressing the media outside Wimbledon Magistrates Court, apologized for his actions, acknowledging his letdown of himself and others.
Following his guilty plea, Ant took a break from hosting to seek further rehab. During this period, Holly Willoughby temporarily replaced him on I’m A Celebrity, while Dec led episodes of their show, Saturday Night Takeaway.
Returning to television in 2019 to host Britain’s Got Talent, Ant later found happiness with his new wife Anne-Marie and welcomed their first child. Reflecting on Ant’s journey, Declan admitted considering a solo career amidst Ant’s challenges.
The duo faced criticism for a promotional video for their podcast, prompting an apology for the offensive content. The video was removed following public backlash.