Ant McPartlin announced today that he will halt all TV work until 2019.
The 42-year-old will not be presenting ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ in November, as he continues his recovery.
As well as that both Ant and Dec have made a joint decision that they will not present a new series of Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway in Spring 2019.
Ant said in a statement to the MailOnline, “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.”
He continued, saying “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.”
Speaking about the decision, Dec replied “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.”
Ant has had a very hard year, after splitting form his wife Lisa in 2017 and entering rehab thereafter. He was then involved in a crash, which lead to a 4-year-old girl needing hospital treatment.
When tested after the crash, it was discovered that the presenter was well over the alcohol.
He entered rehab for a second time in March after the crash.
Ant pleaded guilty to drink-driving in April and he received a record-breaking £86,000 fine, as well as a 20-month ban from driving.
ITV bosses have also given Ant their blessing and well wishes for his recovery.
Director of Television, Kevin Lygo, commented how “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.”
