Ant McPartlin has confirmed he has been sober for six months after seeking help following a drink-driving crash earlier this year.
The Britain's Got Talent and I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! presenter checked himself into a rehab clinic earlier this year after pleading guilty to drink-driving and he has taken a break from his television commitments while he focuses on his recovery.
He was fined £86,000 and given a 20-month driving ban following the car crash.
Now, McPartlin's friend Simon Hargreaves has taken to Twitter to praise the TV star for his "strength and determination in facing his problems".
In a tweet shared on Ant and Dec's official Twitter page, Hargreaves wrote along with a photo of him with McPartlin: "Long overdue catch up with my buddy of 20+ years for lunch this week. 6 months sober, annoyingly healthy looking, and happier than I've seen him in years.
"Immensely proud of this lad for his strength and determination to face up to his issues and get help."
Long overdue catch up with my buddy of 20+ years for lunch this week. 6 months sober, annoyingly healthy looking, and happier than I’ve seen him in years. Immensely proud of this lad for his strength and determination to face up to his issues and get help. @antanddec pic.twitter.com/iBZdESbtUS
— Simon Hargreaves (@AGentPublicity) September 22, 2018
McPartlin retweeted the message and added: "Thanks pal. Really appreciate it. Lovely seeing you too. It really was long overdue."
Thanks pal. Really appreciate it. Lovely seeing you too.
— antanddec (@antanddec) September 22, 2018
It really was long overdue. #weloveagoodlunch
Hope you’re using your Jcrew tote bag!
😂
A https://t.co/UhNjUKlIze
Popular presenting duo Ant & Dec released a joint statement earlier in August to reveal that McPartlin would "continue to take a break from all television presenting roles until 2019", which includes I'm A Celebrity and Saturday Night Takeaway.
It was subsequently revealed that Holly Willoughby will fill in for him when the new series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! begins filming later this year.
