Ant McPartlin has said he feels he has let people down as he reportedly enters rehab following a battle with depression, alcohol and substance abuse.
The TV presenter, one half of the duo Ant and Dec, said he wanted to speak out about his issues in order to help others.
McPartlin, 41, told The Sun on Sunday: “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.”
McPartlin is believed to have checked into a rehabilitation facility, where he will remain for up to two months for treatment for issues the paper reported as having stemmed from failed knee surgery two years ago.
McPartlin is said to have started taking prescription drugs to cope with the pain. An unnamed source said that alcohol had also become a cause for concern among the presenters’ friends.
His busy work schedule, in which he and Declan Donnelly front ITV programmes such as I’m A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! and Britain’s Got Talent for a large part of the year, has been an additional factor to McPartlin’s battle with anxiety.
Several stars have commended McPartlin for speaking out about his personal issues.
The Apprentice presenter, Alan Sugar, wrote on Twitter:
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 @antanddec https://t.co/lDcg5SjttD
— Lord Sugar (@Lord_Sugar) June 18, 2017
Kelly Holmes said: “As I say at every speech I do, we are all human! Best wishes to Ant antanddec You will come back stronger,your fans love you #itsgoodtotalk.”
McPartlin and Donnelly forged their professional partnership after starring in the children’s drama series Byker Grove in the 1990s.
They went on to enjoy a music career under the names of their characters PJ & Duncan, releasing songs such as Let’s Get Ready To Rhumble and Shout.
After several years presenting a range of programmes, they landed a job hosting the Saturday morning ITV children’s programmes SMTV Live and CD:UK from 1998 until 2001.
Jobs on the entertainment shows Pop Idol and Friends Like These launched their primetime career in the early 2000s, and they are now best-known for their stints on I’m A Celebrity, Britain’s Got Talent and their own entertainment show, Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
The pair have won the TV presenter award at the National Television Awards for 16 consecutive years, and last year they were awarded OBEs in the Queen’s birthday honours for their services to broadcasting and entertainment.
McPartlin is married to his long-time partner Lisa Armstrong.