‘I hope he pulls through’: Ant McPartlin offered support from mother of girl involved in drink-driving crash

The mother of a four-year-old girl who was taken to hospital following a crash caused by Ant McPartlin has reached out to the troubled TV star, saying she hopes he “pulls through”.

Shilpa Dandekar was travelling with her husband Faheem and daughter Amaira when McPartlin’s Mini collided with their car in Richmond last month. He was arrested and charged with drink-driving, later pleading guilty and fined £86,000.

Speaking to OK! Mrs Dandekar said: “Of course, concern for my family’s safety was always paramount, which I’m sure he considered when addressing the whole matter to the public.

“I feel for what he’s going through and hope he pulls through.”

Her comments come days after McPartlin apologised for his actions, saying he is “truly sorry” for letting down family, friends and fans.

The Saturday Night Takeaway star was fined and banned from driving for 20 months following his court appearance on Tuesday which found he was twice the legal limit when he caused the crash.

Speaking outside Wimbledon Magistrates Court following sentencing he said: “I just want to say I'm truly sorry for what happened.

“High standards are expected of me, I expect them of myself. I've let myself down, I let a lot of people down. And for that I am truly sorry.

“I'd like apologise to everybody involved in the crash and I'm just thankful no-one was seriously hurt.”

McPartlin is currently in rehab and has cancelled all of his work commitments for the “foreseeable future”.

His TV partner Declan Donnelly fronted the remaining episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway alone, including the series finale in Florida. It is unclear if McPartlin will return to co-host I'm A Celebrity later this year.