Declan Donnelly has spoken out with profound admiration for his television partner Ant McPartlin, praising him for fundamentally turning his life around following a tragic drink-driving incident in 2018.
The Crash and Its Aftermath
In March 2018, the career of one of Britain's most beloved TV duos faced a seismic crisis. Ant McPartlin was arrested after being involved in a drink-driving collision in West London. The crash occurred after Ant, who had previously undergone rehab for addiction to alcohol and painkillers, collided with two vehicles while returning from walking his dogs in Richmond Park.
A four-year-old girl in one of the cars required hospital treatment following the crash. McPartlin later pleaded guilty at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court, receiving a £86,000 fine and a 20-month driving ban, which was later reduced. He was also ordered to complete a drink-driving referral course.
A Journey of Responsibility and Recovery
In a recent interview with The Times, Declan Donnelly opened up about his partner's difficult journey. "What I most admire is that with the challenges he’s faced, especially over the last few years, Ant took responsibility and real action," Dec stated. He emphasised the personal work Ant undertook, noting he became "a much better person than he was before."
The incident came during a deeply personal period for McPartlin, following the breakdown of his 11-year marriage to Lisa Armstrong. Outside court in 2018, a remorseful Ant publicly apologised, saying: "I let myself down, I let a lot of people down... I’m just thankful nobody was seriously hurt."
Ant subsequently stepped back from all television commitments, re-entered rehabilitation, and took a full year away from the spotlight. Holly Willoughby replaced him alongside Dec for I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, while Donnelly hosted two episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway solo.
Rebuilding a Life and a Partnership
Ant McPartlin returned to television in 2019, co-hosting Britain's Got Talent. His personal life also saw renewal; he married his former personal assistant, Anne-Marie, in 2021, and the couple welcomed their first child two years later.
Donnelly admitted the period was intensely challenging for their professional partnership. He told The Guardian he found Ant's actions "indefensible" at the time, confessing, "I wanted to punch him and hug him at the same time." Ant himself reflected on the "shame and guilt" he experienced, calling drink-driving an "inexcusable act."
The duo recently faced separate controversy, issuing a public apology for a promotional video for their podcast, Hanging Out With Ant and Dec. The advert, which featured imagery some interpreted as evoking suicide, was criticised as "triggering and insensitive" by former X Factor star Katie Waissel. The pair promptly removed the advert and apologised for any offence caused.
Despite past turmoil, Donnelly's current sentiments highlight a story of accountability, recovery, and a strengthened bond. Ant McPartlin's journey from a devastating personal and legal low point to a restructured life continues to resonate, marking a significant chapter in the enduring story of Ant and Dec.
