Ant McPartlin has opened up about reuniting with his dad after 32 years apart.
The presenter and his old man have been estranged since 1985, but Ant has revealed that he reached out to make amends during his year off.
Read more: Ant McPartlin facing awkward public reunion with ex-wife Lisa Armstrong?
Speaking to the Guardian’s Weekend magazine, Ant, 43, said: “My dad and I didn’t speak for a long time, but we’re talking again now, which is great.”
The Britain’s Got Talent presenter said his dad is “good, he’s funny” and explained how he is “slowly getting to know him again”.
Raymond, 64, is “a proud man, a worker”, according to Ant.
When he was married to Ant’s mum, Christine Woodhall, he worked as a publican.
Today, he lives in North Fenham, Tyneside with his partner Sheila Taylor.
Ray reportedly walked out on Ant and his family in 1985, after which Ant had to help look after his younger sisters Sarha and Emma while mum Christine worked three jobs.
Ant decided to get back in touch with him following his drink-driving arrest and subsequent break from the spotlight, during which he focussed on finalising his divorce from ex Lisa Armstrong and getting his life back on track.
The interview also revealed that Ant nearly severed ties with on-screen partner Dec after his drink-driving crash.
Dec, 43, told the publication that he couldn’t believe it when he first heard what had happened, and thought “there’d been a mistake”.
The two had a heart to heart, during which Dec advised his pal to take some time off.
But the talk left him angry and Dec, who went on to have therapy to deal with it all, admitted he wanted to punch and hug Ant at the same time.
Read more: Ant and Dec take centre stage in first BGT 2019 official photo
The interview follows reports of plans for a documentary exploring Ant’s turbulent year.
Peter Andre, a friend of Ant, shed some light on what the programme could entail in his new! magazine column, where he wrote: “I filmed a segment for a new documentary about Ant and Dec.
“I can’t give too much away because I don’t know what will make the final cut, but it’s basically about the pressures of the industry and the trials and tribulations facing Ant following his drink driving arrest and rehab stint.”
Ant will be hosting Britain’s Got Talent alongside Dec when it returns to our screens later this year.
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