Ant McPartlin’s “tough personal and professional challenges” amid his extended break from TV in 2018 will be explored in a new documentary for Channel 5.

Advertisement

Titled The Comeback of Ant McPartlin, the programme will examine how “the pressures of celebrity took their toll” on the presenter – one half of duo Ant and Dec – during the year in which he was convicted of drink-driving and his marriage came to an end, and how he worked towards his return to screens this year.

The documentary – air date yet to be confirmed – will also feature experts, and celebrities “who have also suffered from intense scrutiny of their private lives”.

A Channel 5 spokesperson told RadioTimes.com: “This film celebrates the return of one of our most loved TV stars and examines how the pressures of celebrity took their toll on Ant in a year where he faced tough personal and professional challenges.

“Through interviews with experts who are uniquely placed to understand his struggles, and celebrities who have also suffered from intense scrutiny of their private lives, the film offers insight into Ant’s world and how he has fought back to reclaim his place as one half of Britain’s favourite entertainment double act.”

Ant stepped back from his television hosting duties after deciding to seek treatment following pleading guilty to drink-driving.

Absent from hit shows I’m a Celebrity and Saturday Night Takeaway in 2018, he returned to filming for this year’s Britain’s Got Talent, reuniting him with Declan Donnelly.

In his latest column in New! magazine, singer and reality TV star Peter Andre has claimed he was among those spoken to for the documentary. Channel 5 were unable to confirm contributors to the show while editing is still underway.

Advertisement

The Comeback of Ant McPartlin is coming soon to Channel 5

Authors

Thomas LingDigital editor, BBC Science Focus

Thomas is Digital editor at BBC Science Focus. Writing about everything from cosmology to anthropology, he specialises in the latest psychology, health and neuroscience discoveries. Thomas has a Masters degree (distinction) in Magazine Journalism from the University of Sheffield and has written for Men’s Health, Vice and Radio Times. He has been shortlisted as the New Digital Talent of the Year at the national magazine Professional Publishers Association (PPA) awards. Also working in academia, Thomas has lectured on the topic of journalism to undergraduate and postgraduate students at The University of Sheffield.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement