Viewers of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! were taken aback during Friday night's episode when presenter Ant McPartlin shared a surprisingly candid and light-hearted moment about addiction with departing campmate Jack Osbourne.
A Moment of Candid Humour
The exchange occurred in the show's exit interview, after Jack was voted out of the jungle. Co-presenter Dec Donnelly asked Jack about a topic, prompting Ant to interject with the quip, "A drinking problem?" Jack laughed in response, stating "There is that," before Ant added, "You and me both."
The remark, which referenced both men's well-documented past struggles with substance abuse, quickly sparked a reaction on social media. Fans expressed their surprise at the frankness of the joke, with one viewer posting online: "‘Drinking problem?’ ‘Yeah there’s that’ ‘You and me both!’ ANT?!" Another simply wrote: "Not Ant joking about his drinking problem."
Shared Journeys of Recovery
The moment resonated because it highlighted the pair's parallel paths through addiction and into sustained recovery. Ant McPartlin has been open about his battles with alcohol and prescription painkillers, which intensified after a knee injury in 2015. He sought treatment in 2017 and again in 2018, later describing hitting "rock bottom" before entering rehab.
In a 2019 interview, Ant explained he used alcohol for decades as a form of escapism, ultimately learning that "alcohol is not the solution." He has remained sober since his last treatment.
Similarly, Jack Osbourne has been candid about his addiction struggles for twenty years. He first entered rehab at age 17 after heavy drinking and drug use during his fame on The Osbournes. During his time in the jungle, he told fellow celebrities he got sober as a teenager and has maintained that sobriety ever since.
The Power of Openness and Ongoing Effort
In a 2021 interview, Jack emphasised that recovery is a continuous process, stating "It's never over." He highlighted the importance of honesty and willingness in maintaining sobriety, even noting he would introduce himself as a newcomer in support groups despite having a decade of sobriety.
The brief, joking exchange between Ant and Jack served as a powerful, unscripted testament to their resilience. It underscored a shared understanding of a difficult journey, using humour to acknowledge past demons while firmly situating themselves in a present defined by recovery and health.
For anyone struggling with alcohol abuse, support and advice is available through organisations like Alcohol Change UK.
