ANT MCPARTLIN, one half of the TV presenting duo Ant and Dec, says he has checked himself into rehab to receive treatment for substance abuse.
The Britain’s Got Talent host told The Sun that depression and chronic pain lead to him developing an addiction to prescription painkillers.
The first step is to admit to yourself that you need help. I feel like I have let a lot of people down, and for that I am truly sorry.
He said that he first took prescription drugs to deal with pain caused by a knee injury, which got worse after an operation to fix the cartilage was ‘botched’.
This combined with marital troubles lead to anxiety and depression, and an increased reliance on drugs and alcohol as a “means of escape”.
Ant said he was talking about his issues in the hope of encouraging others to do the same:
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.
