Declan Donnelly has offered his best full support, after Ant McPartlin revealed he would not return to ITV until next year.
In a statement issued to their website, Ant confirmed that he would not be doing I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
He assured fans that his recovery was going well, and thanked Dec for his support.
Dec then said: “Whilst I am obviously sad at the thought of being without my best friend in Australia this year, I am proud of the work Ant has been doing privately and I am fully supportive of his decision.
“I’m looking forward to us both being reunited on screen in 2019.”
The statement reads: “Ant McPartlin today announces he will continue to take a break from all television presenting roles until 2019.
“Ant will not present I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! in November this year.
“In addition Ant and Dec have made the joint decision not to present a new series of ‘Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway’ in Spring 2019.
“Production and filming for a Saturday Night Takeaway series in February would normally have already started, and continue throughout 2018 and early 2019.
“Neither Ant & Dec nor ITV wanted to compromise the quality of the show and therefore felt it was better to rest the series next year. They will instead bring the show back in 2020, bigger and better than ever.
“Ant says: ‘My recovery is going very well and for that to continue having spoken to Dec and ITV, I have made the decision to take the rest of the year off.
“‘I’d like to thank both Dec and ITV for their continued support and I look forward to getting back to work in the new year.’
“Dec adds: ‘Whilst I am obviously sad at the thought of being without my best friend in Australia this year, I am proud of the work Ant has been doing privately and I am fully supportive of his decision.
“‘I’m looking forward to us both being reunited on screen in 2019.'”
Don’t miss out: Three steps to ensure you see all ED!’s latest news on Facebook
ITV Director of Television Kevin Lygo said: “ITV is completely supportive of Ant taking as much time as he needs in his recovery and of this mutual decision to rest Takeaway in 2019. Ant is clearly making good progress and we wish him all the very best and look forward to him returning to ITV next year.
“An announcement on I’m A Celebrity plans will be made in due course.”
Statement: https://t.co/lyo3AkWhvo
— antanddec (@antanddec) 9 August 2018
Ant has been taking a break from work to deal with personal issues. His problems with alcohol and prescription medication came to light last June.
After a stint in rehab over the summer, Ant, 42, returned to TV to present I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here, alongside Dec in November last year.
Ant pulled out of Saturday Night Takeaway in March this year, after he was involved in a drink-drive crash near in south-west London.
Do you think Ant has made the right decision? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!