This Morning hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have addressed the news of Ant McPartlin's arrest on suspicion of drink-driving, after viewers accused them of ignoring the topic on yesterday's show.
Fans had claimed Holly and Phil's lack of comment on Ant's incident - which has seen him return to rehab and pull out of presenting duties for the 'foreseeable future' - was the 'elephant in the room' and blamed the stars connections to ITV. Today, however, the pair claimed they're 'shocked and saddened' by the news.
Speaking on today's show (March 20th), Phillip explained: "This is difficult for us, we're talking about a friend here. Like many people, we're shocked and saddened by Sunday's incident involving Ant."
Holly added: "We can't say much more as the matter is still being investigated by the police, but we want to wish those shaken and upset by the collision a quick recovery and personally for Ant, we hope he gets some time and space to return to full health."
Phillip then concluded: "Ant's now gone back into treatment. He's clearly struggling. He loves Dec, he loves his career, he loves the shows they make together and he loves their fans."
GALLERY: Ant and Dec's 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.
This all comes as it's reported Ant's long-term presenting partner Dec is 'devastated' by Ant's arrest and return to treatment. A source told The Sun: "He’s just really upset about it all just on so many levels - gutted and worried about Ant obviously and devastated he’s going back to rehab."
Meanwhile Ant and Dec's former Britain's Got Talent colleague Piers Morgan addressed the arrest on Good Morning Britain. He claimed: "He's definitely changed, no question.
"Lisa [Armstrong, Ant's estranged wife] 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.
"His life is faltering and tormented for some reason."