Ant McPartlin thanks NHS doctor for playing a 'huge part' in his recovery

Back in June, Ant and Dec’s Ant McPartlin checked into rehab for drugs and alcohol abuse, with the TV icon becoming dependent on prescription pain relief following an agonising knee injury.

He’s spoken candidly about his addiction, even admitting that he came close to death during one particular binge on prescription pills.

The Saturday Night Takeaway host spent around two months in rehab, and has now praised an NHS doctor for playing a ‘huge part’ in his recovery.

The 41-year-old presenter underwent a major knee operation which he says sparked his drug addiction, but the star cannot stop singing the praises of Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital’s medical expert Professor Deehan.

A source said: ‘Professor Deehan has been a huge part of turning Ant’s life around. Ant thinks he’s brilliant and can’t stop telling everyone how important this guy has been to his recovery.

‘He was so let down by private healthcare, both in terms of his failed knee op and doctors who kept prescribing him dangerous painkillers in London. Ant knew he needed a different surgeon.’

Ant suffered the injury three years ago when he was on tour for ‘Saturday Night Takeaway’, but the private operation was unsuccessful and led to a hairline fracture, which caused the ‘Let’s Get Ready to Rhumble’ hitmaker chronic pain.

He was rushed to hospital at 5am back in June following an ‘insane’ binge of painkillers tramadol and morphine, along with alcohol, while recovering from the surgery.

And it is believed Professor Deehan continued to check in on his patient to support him through his difficult time.

Another source said: ‘He has been incredibly supportive throughout his time in rehab.’

However the orthopaedic surgeon believes Ant is ‘motivated’ to overcome his demons and has found treating Ant ‘a joy’.

He told The Sun Online: ‘It is always a privilege to help and surgery is a team effort. It is also very easy and a joy to treat a patient who is so honest and as motivated as Anthony.’

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