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Declan Donnelly Has Managed To Completely Turn Around A Rough Year

Declan Donnelly Has Managed To Completely Turn Around A Rough Year

The TV presenter has smashed it as a solo presenter

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

For those of us who grew up watching Ant and Dec on telly, the news of Ant McPartlin's arrest for drunk driving came as a massive shock.

Following the incident in March, the TV host announced he would be entering rehab and cancelled all his scheduled work for the year. The public reaction was pretty split - with half the population slating Ant for driving while drunk and the other half believing that he needed help, not punishment.

Through it all, his on-screen partner and real-life best friend Declan Donnelly has quietly stood by him while also working his arse off as a solo presenter for the first time of his career.


After skipping a week due to Ant's arrest, Dec came in for a ton of, well-deserved, praise back in March when he presented Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway by himself for the first time.

After descending the stairs alone, he thanked the audience for welcoming him and quipped: "I've got twice the amount of work to do, so we're going to crack on."

Dec, however, didn't seem to have much in faith in himself, revealing that he had a sleepless night prior to the show.

His fears were completely unfounded, though, as his first solo stint got him a standing ovation, meanwhile fans were quick to throw their support behind him on social media.

And, he smashed it all over again when he presented the Britain's Got Talent live shows this summer.

He even made a little joke about missing his pal, which got a big laugh from David Walliams.

Introducing duo Dennis DeMillie and Marvin Muoneke, he said: "First up tonight we start with two men, who are absolutely inseparable. They're a double act everyone loved at the auditions and now they're back together for semi-final week.

"Must be nice."

He did so well, in fact, that some fans even reckoned he should get rid of Ant for good. Harsh.

And while he has temporarily lost one side-kick this year, he gained a brand-new one after he and wife Ali Astall welcomed their first child into the world - a little girl called Isla Elizabeth Anne - earlier this month.

Sharing the happy news on the Ant and Dec official Twitter account, Dec wrote that he was 'head over heels' with his little girl.


Looking ahead, Dec gets the added bonus of being able to work alongside long-time pal Holly Willoughby on the upcoming series of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!

Something which he seems to be pretty excited about, speaking at the time of the announcement he said: "I am hugely grateful to Holly for agreeing to accompany me to Australia this year.

"She was at the top of my list and I'm thrilled she said yes. It will be a different kind of series but we will try our best to ensure it is no less fun and eventful for our loyal viewers.

"I am also pleased to hear Holly is scared of everything. I am almost stupidly excited at the thought of watching her during the eating trials."

We can't wait either, mate.

Featured Image Credit: ITV/Britain's Got Talent

Topics: TV and Film, Celebrity, Ant McPartlin, Declan Donnelly, UK Entertainment, Ant and Dec