Britain’s most successful tv duo for 30 years came close to ending their double act last year as Ant went off the rails and battled alcohol and drug addiction after his marriage broke down.
Dec, 43, said Ant’s drink-driving offence was “indefensible” and he was angry and upset.
Asked if he considered separating from his on-screen partner, he said he would be lying if he had not – but ultimately he wanted him healthy and happy and their relationship back on track.
A source close to the pair said they had a series of “heartto-heart talks” aimed at clearing the air and moving forward.
The friend added: “It was totally natural for Dec to feel how he did and his instant reaction was anger and annoyance at how stupid Ant had been. He couldn’t believe what happened. “It could have finished them as a duo, but the thought of splitting was only for a fleeting moment, and then Dec’s thoughts turned to concern for his best friend and trying to help him overcome his demons.”
In an interview, the pair said Ant’s issues had brought them closer again after not sharing their true feelings and problems.
Ant said: “For the first time in many years, all we talked about were deep things like how we felt, and what the future held and where we were, and all the chaos that has come along, especially for me.” The pair, who return to TV as a duo next Saturday on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, began filming in January and Ant cried when he received a huge ovation from the London Palladium audience.
The pair won a National TV Award in January and hugging Ant, Dec said people’s “kind and thoughtful” messages “kept me going while I’ve been flying the flag for the two of us”.
He added: “But I’ve got him back now and now we’re back together.” Ant was more than twice the legal drink-drive limit when his car hit two other vehicles in south-west London last March.
He was fined £86,000, believed to be a British record for drinkdriving, and banned from the roads for 20 months.
Recovering star still earned £3m
Ant McPartlin still earned £3million in 2018, despite spending much of it in rehab.
The troubled star saw his fortune rise from £16.3million to £19.3million, even though he pulled out of the live stages of Britain’s Got Talent and missed final Saturday Night Takeaway shows.
Just-filed accounts for his company, Teecourt, cover the time from when he first went into rehab in June 2017 to the end of June 2018.
On-screen TV partner Declan Donnelly is also due to file accounts for his company and a business the pair run together, Hurley Productions, says its reserves have risen by £300,000 to £4.4million.
