ITV star Ant McPartlin has given a rare and candid interview about his life-changing decision to embrace sobriety, reflecting on the personal turmoil of his early forties and the happiness he has found since.
A Turning Point After a Public Struggle
The beloved presenter, one half of the nation's favourite duo Ant and Dec, spoke openly about the difficult period that followed his drink-driving arrest and conviction in 2018. The incident led him to step away from the spotlight and enter rehabilitation, a chapter he has seldom discussed publicly until now.
In a heartfelt conversation with The Sunday Times, McPartlin marked his recent 50th birthday as a significant milestone. "Turning 50 for me was great because my early forties was a really tough time," he revealed. "These last few years, it's the happiest I've been in a long, long time."
Finding Purpose Beyond the Cameras
Ant explained how his perspective on work and life has fundamentally shifted since becoming sober. While he and longtime professional partner Declan Donnelly continue to front major ITV shows like Britain's Got Talent and I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, his priorities have evolved.
He described the unique thrill of live television, particularly when filming the jungle show in Australia. "When you're live on I'm a Celebrity in Australia and you're in the moment with your best friend, there's nowhere else I want to be," he said. However, he was quick to emphasise that fulfilment now lies elsewhere once filming wraps: "But as soon as we finish, we go back to our apartments by the beach and we're with our families. That's where we want to be right then."
Dec's Emotional Tribute to His Friend's Journey
The interview also showcased the deep bond between the presenting pair, who first met on the set of Byker Grove in 1989. When asked what they most admire about each other, Ant offered a light-hearted nod to Dec's vocabulary.
Dec's response, however, was profoundly moving. He said, "What I most admire is that with the challenges he's faced, especially over the last few years, Ant took responsibility and real action. He worked on himself so much to get back not just to being himself but actually being a much better person than he was before."
Since his return to television in 2019, Ant's personal life has also flourished. He married Anne-Marie Corbett in 2021 and welcomed his first child last year. Both he and Dec, who is also a father of two, have acknowledged how parenthood has further reshaped their outlooks.
The duo recently concluded the 20th series of Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, marking the end of an era for the popular programme, as they continue to dominate ITV's entertainment schedule with their unparalleled partnership.
