Ant McPartlin (L) has checked into rehab (Picture: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

Ant McPartlin has checked into rehab after ­tearfully ­admitting drink and drug problems to his wife, family and his working partner Declan Donnelly.

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The I’m A Celebrity and Britain’s Got Talent co-host has confessed to his close friends and family of his problems with substance abuse, prescription drugs and alcohol.

The 41-year-old presenter wept as he ­revealed to his wife Lisa Armstrong and co-star Dec that depression over infertility had led to an addiction to prescription drugs and battles with substance abuse and alcohol.

Speaking to The Sun On Sunday, Ant said: ‘The first step is to admit to yourself you need help. I’ve let people down. I’m truly sorry.




‘I feel like I have let a lot of people down and for that I’m truly sorry. I want to thank my wife, family and closest friends through this really difficult time.’

Ant revealed to Dec that depression over infertility led him to addiction (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)

He added: ‘I have spoken out because I think it is important that people ask for help if they are going through a rough time and get the proper treatment to help their recovery.’

It has been reported that a recent knee injury led to his addiction to painkillers.

Metro.co.uk has contacted his rep for comment.

Ant had an operation to fix cartilage in his knee at an unnamed hospital, but told friends the op was ‘botched’.

He continued to bounce around as a national treasure on several TV shows, all the while unaware that he was carrying a fracture. This led to him eroding the bone until his kneecap slipped.

Ant with his wife Lisa Armstrong (Picture: Kirstin Sinclair/Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse)

A source said: ‘The sad truth is that Ant is in agony nearly every waking moment.’

The star is expected to spend at least two months in a clinic.

Ant and Dec's Career Timeline Ant and Dec met on the set of Byker Grover when they were just 13 years-old, and have been a dynamic duo ever since. After leaving the show in 1993, they moved from acting to music as PJ and Duncan. The pair had a massive 14 top 20 hits from 1993-1997, including the hit Lets Get Ready To Rumble. Next they made their big return to TV and teamed up with Cat Deeley for the legendary SM:TV Live, leading them to win the Special Recognition Award for children’s programme at the NTAs in 2002. They then moved onto Saturday night game show Friends Like These and, in 2001 made their Simon Cowell debut for talent show Pop Idol. The double act won their first BAFTA in 2010 for the Best Entertainment Performance award. Their first Bafta win in 2010 (Picture by: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) Following this, they dabbled with music once more in 2012 when they released official England World Cup song, On The Ball. In 2015 the dream team presented The Brits, and ended up with their heads as a dish on the table for the star’s grub. They have since presented I’m a Celeb, Britain’s Got Talent and Saturday Night Takeaway and have won a gigantic 31 National Television Awards. The pair with another win at the 21st NTA awards (Picture by: Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

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