Ant McPartlin shares moving three-word admission about addiction six years on from health crisis

I'm A Celebrity presenters Ant and Dec shared a powerful message six years after Ant took a step away from the limelight following his addiction admission

Geordie presenter Ant McPartlin took to social media to share a moving update years on from his addiction woes.

The I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here host, 49, was alongside best pal and co-host Declan Donnelly as they shared a powerful message with their followers in a touching video. It comes six years after Ant pulled out of I'm a Celebrity to focus on rehab and announced he would be withdrawing from all television commitments until 2019.

At the time, Ant admitted he went from a social drinker to addiction in a bid to mask his deep unhappiness. Now, in his latest message for Taking Action on Addiction, he said: "Recovery is possible."

In the video uploaded to the campaign's Instagram page, the presenter candidly said: "It's so important to talk about addiction because despite how hard it may seem it is possible to recover."

Speaking of the emotional stories told by members of the public, Dec said it offered "strength and hope" as he admitted addiction impacts many people. Reiterating Dec's message that it's okay to talk about your issues, Ant added: "Please ask for help if you need to, you are not alone."

Dec went on: "Addiction affects everyone," before Ant interjected: "But, recovery is possible." Ant and Dec shared the video on their Stories too, alongside the three words: "Recovery is possible".

In 2017, Ant revealed how a "botched" knee operation left him in so much pain he spiralled into a devastating addiction to prescription drugs. It's claimed the operation that took place two years earlier had often faced him to stay at home and led to his initial rehab treatment.

At the time, a source told The Sun on Sunday: “He’s been trapped in his house causing him to turn to substance abuse as a way of escaping his troubles.”

After confirming he was to go into rehab, the star told the publication the "first step is to admit to yourself you need help". He added: "I’ve spoken out because I think it’s important that people ask for help if they’re going through a rough time and get the proper treatment to help their recovery.”

Two years later, Ant revealed he went from a social drinker to addiction in a bid to mask his deep unhappiness. After completing his second stint in rehab, the Britain's Got Talent presenter spoke of his positive outlook on life coming after he took a hard look at why he was unhappy following his arrest for drink driving in 2018.

He told The Sun at the time: "The longer you drink - and I’m talking about decades of drinking - you use it as escapism and a way to change how you feel. But alcohol is not the solution. You’ve got to deal with where your unhappiness is."

Frank offers confidential advice about drugs and addiction (email frank@talktofrank.com, message 82111 or call 0300 123 6600) or the NHS has information about getting help.

If you are struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction, advice and support can be found at alcoholchange.org.uk