Declan Donnelly Could End Up Presenting Alone For The First Time Ever

Although we're still in the early days of Ant McPartlin's recovery from alcohol and painkiller related problems, the I'm A Celebrity host has got the full support of both fans and ITV.

Bosses at the TV channel, where Ant and Dec signed a three-year deal worth £15million earlier this year, have accepted the fact that Declan Donnelly might end up presenting some shows alone while Ant concentrates on getting better.

Ant has reportedly been offered a year off work, fully paid, to ensure he gets a full recovery, reports the Mail.

Credit: PA

An ITV source told the paper: "It is all still too early to say for sure what will happen, but all anyone wants is for Ant to get well again.

"He and Dec are the backbone of the ITV family and Ant has the network's complete and utter support.

"Formally, Ant has no work commitments until November and obviously the hope is that he will be completely better by then, and able to fulfil them. But ITV will not rush him in any way, and the feeling is he must take as long as he needs."

They continued: "If he wants a 12-month sabbatical, frankly he deserves it. The sense is though that both Ant and Dec love working, and Ant will want to get back down to work before the end of the year."

However, a friend of Ant and Dec told the Mail that 'no conversations' about the possibility had happened yet, adding: "At the moment it is not an issue."

Another friend said: "Ant knows his health is the number one priority.

"He will be more selective about the things he says 'yes' to, going forward, and presumably will be turning down far more work than he accepts. He loves his job, but doesn't want to burn out again."

Ant suffers from chronic pain caused by a knee problem, which has led to him becoming reliant on painkillers.

Speaking to The Sun On Sunday, Ant said: "The first step is to admit to yourself you need help. 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."

He is expected to spend at least two months in a clinic and has no official presenting duties until November.

Topics: Ant McPartlin, Dec Donnelly, Drug, Ant and Dec, I'm a celeb

Mel Ramsay

Mel Ramsay has been a Senior Journalist for Tyla and LADbible since 2015. She started her career writing obituaries and funeral guides online. Since then, her work has been published in a wide variety of national and local news sites. She is part of the BBC's Generation project and has spoken about young people, politics and mental health on television, radio and online. Contact her - [email protected]

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