Getty
Ant McPartlin has spoken out for the first time since admitting himself to rehab to conquer his battle with drink, drugs and depression.
The TV presenter reveals how he ‘almost died’ after self-medicating with pain-relief tablets. Ant admitted he was popping pills ‘willy nilly’ after a botched knee operation leaving the star unable to walk without unbearable pain.
Ant checked himself into rehab in June and a few of his famous pals publicly showed support including Robbie Williams and Doctor Christian Jessen. Presenting other half Dec Donnelley and wife Lisa McPartlin also thanked fans for their support.
Ant and his wife Lisa at a BAFTA event.
Now, two months on, Ant has spoken candidly for the first time of his addiction battle.
He told The Sun, ‘I was at the point where anything — prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs — I would take. And take them with alcohol, which is ridiculous. The doctors told me, “You could have killed yourself”.’
Ant also revealed how he was rushed to hospital by his wife Lisa at 5am after overdosing on a lethal cocktail of pain medication, including tramadol, morphine and alcohol.
“It was five in the morning and I was screaming in pain so I rang Lisa.
“She was upstairs because I was living in the living room because I couldn’t get around. “I said, ‘You’re going to have to call me an ambulance. I’m in a bad way’.
“I was insane. It sends you crazy. It was to the point of hearing things, seeing things in the garden and still the pain was getting worse.
“The ambulance came and took me to Chelsea and Westminster.
“I was depressed through the whole thing because I was in pain and immobile.”
The veteran TV presenter is one half of the beloved ‘Ant and Dec’ duo alongside close pal Declan Donnelly.
Ant became addicted to Tramadol after a botched knee operation a few years ago.
The Sun reports how Ant is now clean from pain medication for the first time in three years and has lost a stone since checking into rehab.
We’re glad to see he’s getting better.
Ant is set to return to work alongside Dec on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in November.
This article first appeared on Closer.
