Ant McPartlin is reportedly set to return to work this week.
The 43-year-old TV star – who announced in August that he was taking a break from presenting duties after a spell in rehab – is set to be reunited with his long-time co-star Dec Donnelly for a series of production meetings ahead of Britain’s Got Talent’s return.
Read more: Dec Donnelly speaks out on Ant McPartlin’s Britain’s Got Talent ‘return’
A source told The Sun: “He always planned to take the rest of 2018 off to fully recover. He didn’t want to commit to anything before he was absolutely ready but now he feels up to it again.
“He’s got his first production meetings this week where he will be talking about the plan for the new series in January and from then onwards he’s back into work mode.
“The break has been exactly what he needed and done him the world of good.”
ED! has contacted representatives for Ant for comment.
Ant was absent during the latest series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, with This Morning host Holly Willoughby replacing him on the ITV show.
However, Holly has subsequently described her experience in the Australian jungle as a “one-off” opportunity, insisting she doesn’t have any aspirations of presenting the show in the long term.
She said during the Dancing On Ice launch this week: “It was a one-off, once in a lifetime adventure.
“Next year, I’ll be at home with everyone else having a glass of wine watching it.”
Despite this, Dec has hailed Holly’s performance on the programme, admitting he relished the experience of working with her.
Read more: Ant McPartlin’s return to TV leaves social media followers divided
Dec said during the ITV show’s after-party: “There is nobody I would have preferred to have stood next to.
“We were thrilled with the ratings, they are absolutely great. Holly has been fantastic too, just brilliant. She was the one I wanted and I am thrilled she did it.”
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