The new series of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here is due to be back on our TV screens later in the year, but according to Stephen Mulhern, Ant McPartlin will not feature on the show.
Ant was arrested and later charged with drink driving last month, with him then making the decision to return to rehab to battle his addiction. Admitting in his statement that he is taking a 'step down from current TV commitments', some fans had hoped Ant would recover in time for the return of I'm A Celebrity later in the year.
However, Ant's long term friend and Britain's Got Talent co-star Stephen Mulhern has now revealed that Ant will not be back on TV until next year.
Speaking to Best Magazine, Stephen said, “Fingers crossed, Ant will get the treatment he needs and be back to his old self for next year.
"But he does need the rest and to be left alone, and given the time to recover."
Despite Stephen's words, no official statement has been made by either Ant or ITV regarding his future on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.
The news comes after it was confirmed by ITV that Dec Donnelly will be hosting the live Britain's Got Talent shows on his own later in the year.
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As the audition rounds had already been filmed before Ant's arrest, the Geordie does feature in the first few episodes.
ITV said, "Dec will be hosting the live shows, which for the first time ever are coming from the Hammersmith Apollo, while Ant steps down from his TV commitments for now. We send Ant all our love. And we know that Dec will do a brilliant job."
Check out all of the highs and lows of Ant's career:
Ant's rise and fall (slider)
1 of 15Ant starts his acting career
In 1989 Ant started his acting career on Byker Grove where he met Declan Donnelly.
2 of 15Ant and Dec release their first song
As PJ & Duncan in 1989, Ant and Dec release their debut song 'Tonight I'm Free' following its success on Byker Grove.
3 of 15'Let's Get Ready to Rhumble' goes to number 1
In 1994 'Let's Get Ready to Rhumble' was released and went to number 1. They also received their first BRIT Award nomination for the song. Ant also met his future wife, Lisa Armstrong, when they were both performing. Lisa was part of the pop group, Deuce.
4 of 15Ant and Dec got their first TV show
Ant and Dec first started presenting on a programme called **Gimme 5 **for CITV. **Gimme 5 **only lasted for two series, but they got their very own show, **The Ant & Dec Show in **1995. They also won two BAFTAs for the series, Best Children's Show and Best Sketch Comedy Show.
5 of 15Ant and Dec teamed up with Cat Deeley
In 1998 they won another BAFTA for Ant & Dec Unzipped, which was only on the air for one series! Ant and Dec then joined Cat Deeley on **SMTV Live **and CD
6 of 15Ant and Dec move away from children's TV to prime time TV
In 2001 Ant and Dec moved from children's TV to work on** Pop Idol**. They later went on to present popular TV shows such as Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here and Britain's Got Talent.
7 of 15The beginning of prime time TV shows
In 2002 Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway started, attracting nearly five million viewers. The show returned in 2018 for its 15th series which was due to be its last. Ant stepped down from his presenting duties three episodes from the end after being arrested on suspicion of drink driving. Ant and Dec also began presenting** I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and Britain's Got Talent **and have continued to present the shows until the present day.
8 of 15Ant gets married to Lisa Armstrong
In 2006 Ant married his longterm girlfriend, make up artist Lisa Armstrong. In 2013 Ant opened up in an interview with** The Mirror** about his struggle to have kids. He said, "Lisa and I would love to have kids. We're trying. It's tougher than you think when you get a bit older."The couple remained married until 2018 when they announced they would be getting a divorce.
9 of 15Ant and Dec receive an OBE
Both Ant and Dec were awarded an OBE by the Queen for their contributions as presenters in 2016, they were presented with the awards in 2017.
10 of 15Ant spends time in rehab
In the summer of 2017 Ant opened up about his struggle with an addiction to painkillers following an operation on his knee. He spent some time getting treatment for his addictions, however he did return to presenting in time for **I'm a Celebrity **in November.
11 of 15Ant McPartlin announces divorce from Lisa Armstrong
In January 2018 Ant announced he would be divorcing his wife of 11 years, he claimed he needed to concentrate on his health.A statement released to **The Mirror **said, "Ant asks for privacy at this difficult time, for both himself, Lisa and their immediate families."No further statement will be made."
12 of 15Ant is arrested on suspicion of drink driving
In March 2018 Ant was arrested on suspicion of drink driving after a collision involving three cars in London.
13 of 15Ant announces his intention to return to rehab
A representative for Ant later released a statement saying that he would be stepping down from his TV duties and returned to rehab. The statement read, "Ant has decided to go back into treatment and step down from his current TV commitments. He has spoken with Dec and ITV today and asked for time off for the foreseeable future."ITV have also confirmed that **Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway **will not air this Saturday (24th March). A statement from the TV company read, "ITV has taken a joint decision with Ant and Dec's team not to broadcast Saturday Night Takeaway this weekend."We will be reviewing options for the last two episodes of the series which would not feature Ant who is taking time off to seek treatment. We very much hope that he gets the help that he needs."
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14 of 15Ant and Dec win again at the NTAs
Ant and Dec win Best Presenter for the 17th year in a row at the 2018 NTAs. On the night Ant and Dec won two awards, Best TV Presenter and the (newly named) Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award for Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.
15 of 15Ant and Dec star in the film Alien Autopsy
In 2006 the popular duo starred in a comedy film called Alien Autopsy. The film starred Ray Santilli (Dec) and his friend Gary Shoefield (Ant) as they go to America to find Elvis memorabilia to sell on Ray's market stall in London.
Meanwhile, it is an exciting time for Dec. Not only is gearing up for the Britain's Got Talent live shows, the 42-year-old announced his wife Ali Astall is expecting the couple's first child later in the year.
Announcing their happy news on Instagram, Dec wrote, 'Just wanted to say thank you for all the lovely messages. The news has sneaked out a little earlier than we had hoped but Ali and I are delighted to be expecting our first child. Thanks for all the love, we really appreciate it ❤️ D x'. [sic]
Dec and Ali's first baby is expected to arrive later in the year.