Police have confirmed that Ant McPartlin was not in possession of drugs at the time of his arrest on suspicion of drink-driving last Sunday (March 18th).
"His life is faltering and tormented for some reason
Following the news Ant has since returned to rehab and stepped down from all presenting commitments - including Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway and Britain's Got Talent - for the 'foreseeable future' a statement issued to Mirror online confirms no drugs were found on his person or in his car.
The Metropolitan Police explained: "No drugs were found on the 42-year-old man arrested or in the vehicle involved in the collision.
"The man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drink-driving and was taken to south London police station. He's been released under investigation."
Meanwhile, Piers Morgan has claimed Ant's estranged wife Lisa Armstrong is going through a 'very tough time' in light of the arrest. Speaking candidly on Good Morning Britain, Piers said: "When it comes to sympathy, sympathy for the family in the other car is paramount. Sympathy for Dec whose own career is being massively damaged by this by default.
"Sympathy for Ant’s wife Lisa, she’s been going through a very tough time in the public eye. She’s a very private lady and she’s having to have all her stuff poured out.
"This is a hard time for a lot of people."
BELOW: Ant and Dec's complete career timeline...
Ant and Dec career timeline
1 of 8And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec as PJ and DuncanIn 1989 Dec landed a part on BBC children's drama Byker Grove, playing Duncan. A year later Ant was cast as PJ – PJ and Duncan was born.Another career change for the boys came in 1994, when they began as co-presenters of children's show Gimme 5 on CITV. Just a year later they landed their own programme, The Ant & Dec Show, this time on CBBC.
2 of 8And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec became popstarsIt wasn't just acting for the boys: PJ & Duncan were pop stars for a while, and became best known for their 1994 UK top 10 Let's Get Ready to Rhumble.Their last studio album, The Cult of Ant and Dec, was released in 1997, managing to chart at number 15.
3 of 8And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec hosted SMTV and CD
4 of 8Ant & Dec: Primetime career
They hit the prime time with talent show Pop IdolThey presented Pop Idol for two years, before it replaced with The X Factor and Kate Thornton took over.This gave them the opportunity to create and present Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, which is about begin its 13th series.In 2002, a year after Saturday Night Takeaway's debut, the boys joined I'm a Celebrity and have become huge parts of the show.
5 of 8Ant & Dec: Britain's Got Talent
Establishing themselves as the busiest presenters in the country, Ant & Dec signed up for Britain's Got Talent in 2006 – and a year later signed a two-year golden handcuffs deal with ITV, which was thought to be worth £40 million.They have been hosting the show ever since, and are currently filming for the twelfth series of the show.
6 of 8Ant & Dec: Awards
Among their numerous gongs, Ant & Dec have received the National Television Award for Most Popular Entertainment/TV Presenter for 15 years running. Most recently, at the 2018 NTAs, the duo won Best Presenter.
7 of 8Ant & Dec: Friendship
Ant previously revealed his friendship with Dec started in 1990, when he sent him a Christmas card and invited him to a football match.He said: "And that was that. It just happened immediately. We clicked. We'd spend all day making each other laugh and annoying everyone and quoting Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer lines to each other."When their parts were written out of Byker Grove, the boys vowed to stick together. Dec told Weekend magazine: "We made a pact. We said to each other, 'Look, whatever happens, I'll always be there for you and you're never in this life on your own or against the world – you've always got a mate looking out for you."Even though they work together, Ant & Dec make sure they go out together at least once a week – and even live three doors apart in London!Dec said: "It's our choice to socialise outside work. And we both get to go to work with our best mate every day. And that keeps our feet on the ground."Ant added: "We love each other, definitely."
8 of 8Ant & Dec: Relationships
In 2015 Dec married his longtime manager Ali Astall and Ant was, of course, best man. And in July 2006, Dec acted as best man at Ant's wedding to make-up artist Lisa Armstrong. Ant and Lisa, however, filed for divorce this month after 11 years of marriage.
Ant's former BGT colleague also suggested Ant has 'changed' and is a 'tormented' individual. He said: "He's definitely changed, no question.
"Lisa does my makeup on Life Stories, she's a delightful person. I never would have thought he would do that [get divorced] for example, let alone this. This Ant McPartlin is not the guy I know."