Ant McPartlin steps down from TV for 'foreseeable future' as he returns to rehab after car crash

Ant McPartlin has stepped down from his television jobs after being arrested on suspicion of drink driving, with Saturday Night Takeaway cancelled this weekend. 

Mr McPartlin is to return to treatment for addiction issues, taking a break from work at ITV after consulting with his on-screen partner Dec. 

His spokesman said in a statement: “Ant has decided to go back into treatment and step down from his current TV commitments.

"He has spoken with Dec and ITV today and asked for time off for the foreseeable future. As such ‘Saturday Night Takeaway’ will not be going ahead this Saturday.”

The broadcaster, 42, has been released under investigation following his arrest on suspicion of drink-driving on Sunday.

He  was involved in a collision with two other cars while he was driving his Mini in Richmond, West London and was arrested at around 4pm on Sunday after failing a roadside breathalyser test.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said a 42-year-old man was "taken to a south London police station for questioning and has since been released under investigation."

Inquiries continue, the spokeswoman added.

Police previously confirmed that a number of individuals were treated at the scene for minor injuries, and a child passenger from one of the cars was taken to hospital to be checked as a precaution.

This is the latest in a string of personal setbacks for the star, who works as Ant and Dec with Declan Donnelly.

McPartlin entered rehab last year after struggling with an addiction to painkillers following a knee operation in 2015.

He returned to screens in November for I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! and jokingly mentioned his rehab stint along with his TV partner.

In January, McPartlin confirmed that he and his wife Lisa were separating after 11 years of marriage.

At the National Television Awards a few days after the split, McPartlin referred to his "tough year" while picking up the presenting prize with Donnelly.

Following McPartlin's arrest, fans have questioned whether his weekly programme, Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, will air as normal this weekend.

ITV has yet to comment on the programme, which is scheduled to air live on Saturday at 7pm.

After the incident on Sunday afternoon, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Police in Richmond were called to Lower Richmond Road, SW14 at 15:59hrs on Sunday, 18 March following reports of a road traffic collision involving three vehicles.

"Officers, London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade attended. A number of individuals were treated at the scene for minor injuries only.

"A child passenger from one of the cars has been taken to hospital for a check up as a precaution. A 42-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drink-driving after failing a roadside breathalyser test."