Declan Donnelly gave Ant McPartlin 'hugs and reassurances' before he went to rehab after drink-driving charge as 'distraught' wife Lisa Armstrong tells friends she 'could have helped to save him'

  • Beleaguered star Ant McPartlin was interviewed for one hour under caution at Kingston Police Station  
  • He was charged last night and will appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on April 4, Met Police confirm
  • Saturday Night Takeaway host was seen checking into private London clinic after charge and divorce battle 
  • 42-year-old presenter was then visited by his best friend Declan Donnelly at his £1.6million home in London
  • Ant's £26,000 Mini was involved in a crash with two other cars on Sunday, leaving a three-year old injured
  • Dec posted statement on Twitter confirming he will present last episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway alone

Advertisement

Ant McPartlin was given 'hugs and reassurances' from Declan Donnelly before he checked into rehab following his drink-driving charge.

The 42-year-old TV star checked into a private London clinic last night after being bailed to appear before magistrates early next month.

He was pictured leaving his rented £1.6million London home with a bag after Dec visited him there earlier in the day following his one-hour interview at Kingston Police Station about his three-car smash on Lower Richmond Road on Sunday afternoon.

Before their 'emotional meeting' Dec announced he would host their ITV show Saturday Night Takeaway by himself for the final two episodes of the series.  

Ant has been 'hit hard' by his painkiller addiction and impending £60million divorce from his wife of 11 years Lisa Armstrong, who has reportedly told friends she 'could have helped to save him' in light of his drink-driving charge.  

Scroll down for video 

TV presenter Ant McPartlin is pictured leaving his rented London property for rehab this evening after being charged with drink-driving following a crash in Richmond, south west of the capital, on Sunday

TV presenter Ant McPartlin is pictured leaving his rented London property for rehab this evening after being charged with drink-driving following a crash in Richmond, south west of the capital, on Sunday

Declan Donnelly arrived at Ant's £1.6million rented property in London shortly after his friend returned from the police station

Declan Donnelly arrived at Ant's £1.6million rented property in London shortly after his friend returned from the police station

Ant attended Kingston Police Station where he was interviewed under caution before being charged later on today 
Lisa Armstrong

Ant (left attending Kingston police station yesterday) has been 'hit hard' by his painkiller addiction and impending £60million divorce from his wife of 11 years Lisa Armstrong (right), who has reportedly told friends she 'could have helped to save him' in light of his drink-driving charge

Ant McPartlin arrived at Kingston Police Station with what appears to be his legal team this afternoon

Ant McPartlin arrived at Kingston Police Station with what appears to be his legal team this afternoon

The beleaguered television star was pictured this morning outside his home for the first time since his drink-driving arrest

The beleaguered television star was pictured this morning outside his home for the first time since his drink-driving arrest

Ant arrived home from the police station shortly before 2pm, and the Met Police confirmed he was not charged

Ant arrived home from the police station shortly before 2pm, and the Met Police confirmed he was not charged

The star's presenting partner and best friend Declan Donnelly was pictured leaving his home with his wife Ali Astall

The star's presenting partner and best friend Declan Donnelly was pictured leaving his home with his wife Ali Astall

Dec posted this emotional statement on Twitter today, confirming he will press ahead and host the last two episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway alone 

Dec posted this emotional statement on Twitter yesterday, confirming he will press ahead and host the last two episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway alone 

The TV presenter, 42, was seen appearing dazed as he climbs out of his £26,000 John Cooper, which was involved in a collision with two other cars in which a three-year-old girl was injured on Sunday

The TV presenter, 42, was seen appearing dazed as he climbs out of his £26,000 John Cooper, which was involved in a collision with two other cars in which a three-year-old girl was injured on Sunday

Dec was driven to the house in a black Mercedes with blacked out windows by Ant's usual driver, and was in the house for around 20 minutes.

A TV source told the Daily Mirror: 'Ant and Dec spoke on the phone but hadn't seen each other since the car accident, so it was a very emotional meeting.

'Dec gave Ant lots of hugs and reassurances that things would be OK. They both have a lot of hard work ahead now.'   

Beforehand he took to Twitter to post an emotionally-charged statement admitting he 'never thought he'd be in this position' as he confirmed he would present the last two episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway alone.

The Metropolitan Police tonight confirmed Ant had been charged and will appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court for a hearing on April 4. 

A source close to Ms Armstrong told The Sun: 'Lisa really thinks she could have helped to save him. She's been upset watching on from afar and thinks she might be able to get him through the situation.'

Ant's appearance this evening comes as it was revealed his £26,000 John Cooper black Mini was searched after he was involved in a crash with two other cars in Richmond, south west London, on Sunday.  

Ant reportedly gave Dec his blessing to host the final two episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway without him.

The Mirror reports the 42-year-old presenter gave his best friend and presenting pal of more than two decades his support to go it alone for the final shows.

A source told the website: 'Dec wouldn't go ahead without Ant giving him the OK.'

This comes amid claims Dec has been left in a 'bad way' following Ant's arrest and subsequent charge for drink-driving.

Declan Donnelly, pictured in London today, is said to be 'devastated' after his co-host's 'drink drive' crash

Declan Donnelly, pictured in London yesterday, is said to be 'devastated' after his co-host's 'drink drive' crash

The Sun reports that Dec has felt devastated that he has had to break the pact the pair made always to present as a duo. 

A source said: 'Dec is in a terrible state of mind. He's totally devastated by what has happened and has had to make difficult decisions in a quick space of time.'

Meanwhile, fans of the show have called on Scarlett Moffatt, 27, to co-host the final two shows of the series alongside Dec.  

Fans wrote: 'Go for it Dec and Scarlett. The show must go on!! All the best wishes to Ant.'; 'Ah big decision for you Dec,good luck, hope it's Scarlett not Stephen!! Love to you Ant, look forward to seeing you better x'

'Why's everyone so nasty ? I think Scarlett would be perfect they could have both Scarlett and Stephen helping dec presenting it as a trio tbh it won't be the same till ants back anyway'      

Ant collided with two other cars after taking his dog for a walk in Richmond Park and spent some ten hours in police custody before he was released.

CCTV footage captured the TV presenter just seconds before he reached a mini roundabout on Lower Richmond Road and collided with a green Mini and maroon BMW. A three-year-old girl was injured in the crash. 

His mother is understood to have been in the vehicle with him, but both escaped without injury. 

On Monday, the Saturday Night Takeaway presenter confirmed he was set to enter a treatment facility and had withdrawn from all TV commitments while this weekend's episode of Takeaway had been cancelled.

An ITV spokesman yesterday confirmed the show would return at the end of the month, without Ant.

The spokesman said: 'We can confirm that Saturday Night Takeaway, presented by Declan Donnelly, will return to ITV on March 31, and the series finale will be taking place at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida a week later.' 

Stepping up? Saturday Night Takeaway fans have called on Scarlett Moffatt (pictured), 27, to co-host the final two shows of the series alongside Declan Donnelly, 42

Stepping up? Saturday Night Takeaway fans have called on Scarlett Moffatt (pictured), 27, to co-host the final two shows of the series alongside Declan Donnelly, 42

Discussions about the future of his TV career are reportedly being held without his involvement because he has 'checked out' as he enters rehab to recover from the shock crash. He is thought to only be in contact with Dec and his mother. 

In a statement, Ant's publicist said: 'Ant has decided to go back into treatment and step down from his current TV commitments. He has spoken with Dec and ITV and asked for time off for the foreseeable future.'

Dec is said to be 'gutted and devastated' for his friend of 29 years and worried for the future of their 20-year TV partnership.

On Twitter Dec wrote: 'Whilst I never thought I'd be in this position, after much discussion and careful consideration we've decided that the remaining two shows of this series of Saturday Night Takeaway will go ahead.

'We made a promise to take hundreds of deserving winners to Florida to watch the series finale, and we will honour that.

'Everyone at ITV and the Takeaway team feels we owe it to the audience to complete the series. Dec x.'

Dec will be accompanied on the show by Takeaway co-presenters, Stephen Mulhern and Scarlett Moffatt - but it remains unclear whether he will appear on stage alone.

The 42-year-old was seen leaving his £1.6million rented property in west London where he had been in lockdown since Sunday

The 42-year-old was seen leaving his £1.6million rented property in west London where he had been in lockdown since Sunday

Ant was pictured walking into the station in London after he left his home for the first time following the smash on Sunday 

Ant was pictured walking into the station in London after he left his home for the first time following the smash on Sunday 

The presenter shook hands with people outside the station in London, where he was interviewed by officers for one hour

The presenter shook hands with people outside the station in London, where he was interviewed by officers for one hour

This is the moment Ant McPartlin left the wreckage of his car, looking shaken as passers-by stopped to help 

This is the moment Ant McPartlin left the wreckage of his car, looking shaken as passers-by stopped to help 

The Saturday Night Takeaway presenter (pictured today) confirmed he had entered into a treatment facility and had withdrawn from all TV commitments while this weekend's episode of Takeaway had been cancelled

The Saturday Night Takeaway presenter (pictured yesterday) confirmed he had entered into a treatment facility and had withdrawn from all TV commitments while this weekend's episode of Takeaway had been cancelled

The 42-year-old was seen looking down at the damage to the front of his car. Both front seat airbags appear to have been triggered by the impact of the crash

The 42-year-old was seen looking down at the damage to the front of his car. Both front seat airbags appear to have been triggered by the impact of the crash

The 42-year-old presenter was accompanied by members of his team as he walked into the police station today

The 42-year-old presenter was accompanied by members of his team as he walked into the police station yesterday

Ant's mother kept her head down as she walked her dogs
Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong during their wedding in Taplow 11 years ago

Ant's mother kept her head down as she walked her dogs (left) outside their home this week. Right: Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong during their wedding in Taplow 11 years ago

The green Mini, which a young girl and a couple were in, was involved in the three-vehicle collision in south-west London

The green Mini, which a young girl and a couple were in, was involved in the three-vehicle collision in south-west London

MailOnline's video shows passers-by talking to a startled McPartlin. The telly favourite appears to nod as he opens his car door

MailOnline's video shows passers-by talking to a startled McPartlin. The telly favourite appears to nod as he opens his car door

Ant at last year's RTS ceremony with his now estranged wife Lisa Armstrong

Ant at last year's RTS ceremony with his now estranged wife Lisa Armstrong

Piers Morgan backed Dec to go it alone while his embattled TV co-host tackles his demons during Wednesday's Good Morning Britain.

The outspoken journalist suggested that Ant should make a public statement to confirm he has given his long-time friend his blessing to go solo or find a temporary presenting pal while he takes some time out from the spotlight.

While the two revealed in their 2004 biography that they have made a pact to never break away from their double act, Piers, 52, said the circumstances should countermand their vow. 

He asserted: 'If Ant was to say publicly 'the show must go on', they've got big teams of people working for them on these shows, their livelihoods are affected as well. 

'I think that would be the right thing to do. I think Dec should carry on, with somebody else, if necessary.' 

Ant has had a string of personal setbacks over the last year, including entering rehab last year after struggling with an addiction to prescription painkillers following a knee operation in 2015.

He returned to TV work in November for I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! and jokingly mentioned his rehab stint along with his TV partner.

In January, Ant confirmed that he and his wife Lisa were separating after 11 years of marriage.

'The show must go on': Piers Morgan backed Declan Donnelly to go it alone while his embattled TV co-host tackles his demons during Wednesday's Good Morning Britain

'The show must go on': Piers Morgan backed Declan Donnelly to go it alone while his embattled TV co-host tackles his demons during Wednesday's Good Morning Britain

Ant McPartlin arrives back at his west London home after his alleged drink-drive car crash
He had been arrested at 4pm and was in police custody for around 10 hours

Ant McPartlin was pictured arriving back at his west London home after his alleged drink-drive car crash on Monday

This map shows how Ant's crash unfolded after he  collided with two other vehicles in Richmond, London

This map shows how Ant's crash unfolded after he collided with two other vehicles in Richmond, London

The pieces of another black vehicle, possibly Ant McPartlin's Mini, which was involved in the three-vehicle collision

The pieces of another black vehicle, possibly Ant McPartlin's Mini, which was involved in the three-vehicle collision

Restaurant owner Faheem Vanoo and his wife Shilpa Dandekar were travelling with their four-year-old daughter Amaira when their green Mini was involved in a head-on collision with another Mini driven by the presenter on Sunday. 

Mr Vanoo said Faheem he does not care 'whether [McPartlin is] a millionaire' or 'a famous TV star.

The whole experience has just been a nightmare,' Faheem told MailOnline. 

'It is not something that we ever expected, but we are just grateful that no one was hurt. 

'It has been a terrible experience and it feels like we are coming out of a nightmare. It has left us all a bit shaken up.' 

The 42-year-old co-hosted Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway with his longtime telly partner Declan Donnelly at 7.30pm on Saturday night 

The 42-year-old co-hosted Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway with his longtime telly partner Declan Donnelly at 7.30pm on Saturday night 

Dec, pictured with his wife Ali, failed to attend the Royal Television Society Programme Awards

Dec, pictured with his wife Ali, failed to attend the Royal Television Society Programme Awards

Dec (pictured today) is said to be 'devastated' at the problems that have forced his presenting sidekick to give up appearing on TV indefinitely and go back to rehab

Dec (pictured yesterday) is said to be 'devastated' at the problems that have forced his presenting sidekick to give up appearing on TV indefinitely and go back to rehab

Ant was due to be alongside Britain's most famous faces at the lavish Royal Television Society (RTS) Awards at Park Lane's Grosvenor House Hotel on Tuesday evening, but decided to avoid the limelight. 

Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway was nominated in the best Entertainment Programme category, which it won last year.

But this year the pair were snubbed in favour of ITV2 hit reality show Love Island.

The pair were also up for the Entertainment Performance Award for their work on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

But once again the gong went to another rival - late night talk show The Last Leg. 

A spokesman for the Met Police said: 'No drugs were found on the 42-year-old man arrested on Sunday, 18 March or in the vehicle involved in the collision. 

'The 42-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drink-driving after failing a roadside breathalyser test. 

'He was taken to a south London police station for questioning and has since been released under investigation.' 

Ant McPartlin's advertising deals hang in the balance as he says he'll check back into rehab after arrest

Saturday Night Takeaway has been pulled from TV schedules this week following Ant McPartlin's arrest on suspicion of drink driving.

The decision could spell the end of the long-running TV duo's stellar career on the nation's TV screens - as Dec is set to present it alone at the end of the month. 

The crash and Ant's ensuing absence will be a disaster for Dec, who will struggle to appear on TV without his long-time partner.

Fans went online to express their worries for the future of the show and others which Ant and Dec present.

Ant (pictured with Dec) presents Saturday Night Takeaway and fans are today divided over whether ITV should back the star following his arrest 

Ant McPartlin presents the show with co-host Dec Donnelly (pictured on Saturday night) and was arrested on Sunday morning 

Saturday Night Takeaway is sponsored by Suzuki in a £20million deal and Ant and sidekick Dec are also paid to appear in adverts for the car maker. 

But marketing bosses at the Japanese motor giant will be furious that troubled Ant was involved in the crash after allegedly being over the drink drive limit.

Ant also appears in adverts for gambling firm 32Red and was recently the face of supermarket chain Morrisons with Dec in a multi-million deal.

But after a girl was injured in Sunday's smash his once squeaky-clean image – that has allowed him to amass a £60million fortune – is now in tatters.

The firms could decide to pull the plug on future deals if he goes on to be convicted of drink driving and the smash has led fans to demand he be given the boot from the ITV1 show until the conclusion of legal proceedings.

Ant is also an ambassador for a host of charities – including the Prince's Trust, ChildLine, the NSPCC. And he is a patron of Cash for Kids and the Children's Heart Unit Fund.

Some fans want Stephen Mulhern – who also appears on the show – to partner Dec as co-host. 

Others suggested that Scarlett Moffatt could end up replacing Ant if he does not appear on Saturday.  

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.