Ant McPartlin has praised the “brilliant” doctor who saved him and helped him recover from his alcohol and painkiller addiction.
The Britain’s Got Talent host – one half of much-loved presenting duo Ant and Dec – checked himself into rehab back in June after struggling with an alcohol and substance abuse addiction.
Just a few days ago Ant, 41, revealed his addictions almost killed him.
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The presenter went to Professor David Deehan earlier this year after a knee operation left him in a lot of pain.
According to a source close to Ant, the presenter had said that David has “turned his life around”.
On Monday Professor Deehan told The Sun: “It is always a privilege to help and surgery is a team effort. It is also very easy and a joy to treat a patient who is so honest and as motivated as Anthony.”
A source close to Ant revealed: “Professor Deehan has been a huge part of turning Ant’s life around.
“Ant thinks he’s brilliant and can’t stop telling everyone how important this guy has been to his recovery.”
“He was so let down by private healthcare, both in terms of his failed knee op and doctors who kept prescribing him dangerous painkillers in London. Ant knew he needed a different surgeon,” they added.
Last week the I’m A Celeb… presenter opened up about his addictions and how it nearly killed him.
In his first interview since admitting himself to rehab the Geordie favourite 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’.”
The star revealed that after he was rushed to Chelsea & Westminster hospital with excruiciating pain from an ongoing knee injury he knew he had to tell wife Lisa and best pal Declan Donelly about his secret issues.
Ant continued: “Coming out of Chelsea and Westminster, that was when we sat down and it was decided I needed to go into rehab.
“Dec came around and he kind of knew it was at the point where I needed help.
“Once I admitted I was in a bad way, they then helped get a team together because obviously I wasn’t in a fit state to do it myself.”
“We had an hour’s conversation then I packed my bag and I went.
“I’m lucky because I have the means to do that. But there are a lot of people who don’t. So I’m very grateful,” he added.
At the weekend Ant took the Twitter for the first time since going into rehab to thank fans for their incredible support.
He tweeted: “Have to say I’m overwhelmed by everyone’s love, support and well wishes today. Thank you one and all. I’m sending all my love back. A xxx.”
Have to say I'm overwhelmed by everyone's love, support and well wishes today. Thank you one and all. I'm sending all my love back.
A xxx— antanddec (@antanddec) August 13, 2017
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During the interview Ant expressed his relief after doctors told him he isn’t an alcoholic but he “drinks to numb the pain”.
He said: “The great thing is I spoke to a lot of the medical team and I’m not an alcoholic. I was just drinking too much to numb the pain.
“It was never crazy — I wouldn’t wake up in the morning and have a drink. But it was the mixing pills with alcohol that was deadly.
“I’ve taken a little break from booze — I’ve done two months and I’ll do a little bit longer.
“But I’m looking forward to having a pint. God, yes!”
He went on to say that he is looking forward to having a pint with best friend Dec when they travel to Australia to film I’m A Celebrity.
“I can’t go to Australia and not have a cold one at the surf club with Dec like we normally do.
“That’s something to look forward to but I have to get well first,” he explained.