Ant McPartlin Reveals How Painkiller Addiction Almost Killed Him

Following his release from rehab, Ant McPartlin has revealed how his secret two-year addiction to painkiller almost killed him.

The I'm A Celebrity presenter checked himself into rehab in June after confessing to TV-partner Dec Donnelly and his wife Lisa Armstrong that he had been experiencing long-standing issues with depression and anxiety.

The 41-year-old revealed to the Sun, how he begged Lisa to call him an ambulance after an 'insane' pills binge which led to him being rushed to hospital at five in the morning.

Speaking to The Sun on Sunday , Ant said: "I was at the point where anything - prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs - I would take.

"And take them with alcohol, which is ridiculous. The doctors told me, 'You could have killed yourself'. "

Credit: PA Images

Speaking before he entered rehab , he said: said: "The first step is to admit to yourself you need help.

"I've let people down. I'm truly sorry.

"I feel like I have let a lot of people down and for that I'm truly sorry.

"I want to thank my wife, family and closest friends through this really difficult time.

He added: "I have spoken out because I think it is important that people ask for help if they are going through a rough time and get the proper treatment to help their recovery."

Back in January, Ant and Dec were honoured by the Prince of Wales for services to broadcasting and entertainment.

Ant with wife Lisa. (Credit: PA Images)

It had been thought that Ant wouldn't make it out of rehab in time to present in the jungle.

That could have meant no show at all, as a close friend of the pair told the Mirror: "Dec wouldn't work on screen without Ant on any major show and he has said the last thing he would do is go to Australia without him.

"To say he would consider working with Holly was ridiculous. He is a good friend of hers but he would not do that to Ant.

"Ant and Dec are a team with a huge emotional bond, they are like brothers and and Dec will only be hosting I'm A Celebrity with Ant by his side.

"They've got months yet to sort things out and the hope is that Ant will bounce back with another hit series of I'm A Celebrity and they will move on from this chapter in their career."

However it now looks like the show will go ahead as planned. Well done to Ant for getting through it.

Featured Image Credit: PA Images

Topics: I'm A Celebrity..., Ant McPartlin, Ant and Dec

James Dawson

James Dawson is a Journalist at LADbible. He has contributed articles to LADbible’s ‘Knowing Me, Knowing EU’ series on the EU referendum, the 'Electoral Dysfunction' series on the 2017 general election, the ‘U OK M8?’ series tackling mental health amongst young men, and for its ‘Climate Change’ initiative in partnership with National Geographic.

@thejaytoday