Declan Donnelly has publicly expressed his pride and admiration for his long-time presenting partner, Ant McPartlin, following McPartlin's journey to sobriety after a serious drink-driving incident in 2018.
The 2018 Incident and Its Aftermath
In March 2018, Ant McPartlin was involved in a car collision while consuming more than twice the legal alcohol limit. The crash involved two other vehicles. As a result, McPartlin faced legal consequences, receiving an £86,000 fine and a 20-month driving ban. The incident occurred just two months after he separated from his wife of 12 years, Lisa Armstrong.
Donnelly, who admitted to feeling "angry" at the time, saw his co-host step away from all presenting duties. Holly Willoughby stepped in to present that year's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! alongside Donnelly. McPartlin used this time to enter rehabilitation and focus on his recovery.
A Journey of Responsibility and Transformation
In a new interview with The Times, Donnelly commended McPartlin's decisive action. "What I most admire is that with the challenges he's faced, especially over the last few years, Ant took responsibility and real action," Donnelly stated. He emphasised that McPartlin didn't just return to his old self but evolved into a "much better person than he was before."
McPartlin reflected on his path, highlighting his current contentment. "These last few years, it's the happiest I've been in a long, long time," he said, attributing part of this to his sobriety and a renewed sense of purpose. He described the perfect balance of working live in Australia with his best friend before returning to his family life.
McPartlin's personal life has also flourished. He married his former personal assistant, Anne-Marie Corbett, in 2021. The couple welcomed a son, Wilder, in May 2024, and McPartlin is a stepfather to Corbett's two teenage daughters from a previous relationship.
Historical Context and Recent Controversy
The drink-driving charge was not McPartlin's first struggle with addiction. In 2017, he entered rehab after becoming dependent on prescription pain medication following a 2015 knee injury. Doctors warned he was "killing" himself by mixing the medication with alcohol.
The iconic duo, who first found fame on Byker Grove in 1989 and later as pop duo PJ & Duncan, have since become the UK's most decorated presenters. They have hosted juggernauts like Britain's Got Talent and Saturday Night Takeaway, which ended in 2024, and won a record 23 National Television Awards for Best Presenter until 2025.
Recently, the pair faced a minor controversy, apologising and pulling a promotional video for their new podcast, Hanging Out with Ant and Dec. Some viewers found imagery of the pair hanging from a washing line, with feet dangling, to be insensitive and suggestive of suicide. They issued a swift apology and removed the content.
Through it all, the bond between the presenters remains evident. Following the 2018 incident, McPartlin recalled Donnelly's supportive words: "'Absolutely, your head is more important than anything.'" Donnelly's recent comments solidify that support, marking a chapter of recovery, resilience, and enduring partnership.
