Ant McPartlin ‘devastated’ a child was involved in ‘drink-drive’ crash

Ant McPartlin is said to be “devastated” that a child was taken to hospital after he crashed his vehicle into a family car.

Restaurant owner Faheem Vanoo was driving his green Mini with wife Shilpa Dandekar and their four-year-old daughter Amaira when they collided with the TV star’s Mini on Sunday.

McPartlin was arrested for ‘drink-driving’ and taken to a South London police station after failing a roadside breathalyser test. He was later released.

According to The Sun a relative of McPartlin’s said he is “devastated” that a child was involved in the crash, saying: “He is going through a bad time.

“Ant and [his mum] Christine have bruises. They are sore and in shock.

“Thankfully everyone was fine and it was bruising rather than any serious injuries.”

Mr Vanoo broke his silence following the incident, saying the “whole experience has just been a nightmare”.

Speaking to the Daily Mail he said: “It is not something that we ever expected, but we are just grateful that no one was hurt.

“It has been a terrible experience and it feels like we are coming out of a nightmare. It has left us all a bit shaken up.”

It has since been confirmed that McPartlin is stepping down from his TV commitments for the “foreseeable future” in order to head back to rehab.

A spokesperson for the star 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 final two episodes of the popular weekend show will air but it is unclear if Declan Donnelly will fly solo or be replaced by two alternative hosts.

Donnelly is said to be “absolutely devastated,” while McPartlin’s estranged wife Lisa Armstrong – who he split from earlier this year – is going through a “very tough time”.