Ant McPartlin finally RETURNS to Britain’s Got Talent after one year break

Ant McPartlin was pictured in London on Friday as he headed to filming Britain’s Got Talent following a year off from his TV commitments. 

The TV host, 43, sipped on a hot beverage as he hopped into his flashy Range Rover ahead of filming later that day, with his co-presenter Declan Donnelly spotted looking delighted at a local Sainsbury’s as he prepared to reunite with his pal.

In August last year, Ant revealed he’s taking a break from presenting with co-host Dec to focus on recovering from his painkiller addiction, months after his drink-driving charge in April. 

He’s back! Ant McPartlin was pictured in London on Friday as he headed to filming Britain’s Got Talent following a year off from his TV commitments

Happy: Ant's co-presenter Declan Donnelly looked delighted as he stopped at Sainsbury's before reuniting with his pal

Happy: Ant’s co-presenter Declan Donnelly looked delighted as he stopped at Sainsbury’s before reuniting with his pal

The Geordie native wrapped up against the cold weather in an all-black ensemble, which featured a baseball cap, longline coat and sturdy knee-high boots. 

Meanwhile Dec looked happier than ever as he laughed and smiled while chatting to a pal at the supermarket, as he too prepared for filming.

The new father, 43, looked casually cool in a black quilted jacket paired with navy chinos and green trainers.

He donned a black and orange baseball cap to complete the look as he seen loading what appeared to chair cushions into his car. 

Preparations: The TV host, 43, sipped on a hot beverage as he hopped into his flashy Range Rover ahead of filming later that day

Preparations: The TV host, 43, sipped on a hot beverage as he hopped into his flashy Range Rover ahead of filming later that day

Comeback: In August last year, Ant revealed he's taking a break from presenting with co-host Declan Donnelly (pictured in 2017) to focus on recovering from his painkiller addiction, months after his drink-driving arrest in April

Comeback: In August last year, Ant revealed he’s taking a break from presenting with co-host Declan Donnelly (pictured in 2017) to focus on recovering from his painkiller addiction, months after his drink-driving arrest in April

Ant’s return comes as Dec revealed last month that Britain’s Got Talent would be ‘back to normal’ after he was forced to host the live finals solo in 2018. 

He told the Mirror: ‘It’s back to normal for BGT – fingers crossed it will be great.’  

Britain’s Got Talent is just the start of Ant’s comeback after he stepped down from all his TV commitments for a year after a difficult few months. 

He's back! Ant McPartlin was pictured in London on Friday as he headed to filming Britain's Got Talent following a year off from his TV commitments Off he goes: The Geordie native wrapped up against the cold weather in an all-black ensemble, featuring a baseball cap, longline coat and sturdy knee-high boots

Off he goes: The Geordie native wrapped up against the cold weather in an all-black ensemble, featuring a baseball cap, longline coat and sturdy knee-high boots

Better than ever: Britain's Got Talent is just the start of Ant's comeback after he stepped down from all his TV commitments for a year after a difficult few months

Better than ever: Britain’s Got Talent is just the start of Ant’s comeback after he stepped down from all his TV commitments for a year after a difficult few months

Ant’s personal issues saw him sit out the last few episodes of BGT 2018, as well as Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, last spring. 

In August, it was revealed that ITV hit show Saturday Night Takeaway, presented by the pair since 2002, has been cancelled until 2020. 

In November, Holly Willoughby filled in for the star on I’m A Celebrity as she starred alongside Dec in the jungle. 

Troubled presenter Ant first sought rehab treatment in June 2017 after becoming addicted to prescription drugs and alcohol following a botched knee surgery in 2015. 

Woes: Troubled presenter Ant first sought rehab treatment in June 2017 after becoming addicted to prescription drugs and alcohol following a botched knee surgery in 2015

Woes: Troubled presenter Ant first sought rehab treatment in June 2017 after becoming addicted to prescription drugs and alcohol following a botched knee surgery in 2015

Time off: Ant's personal issues saw him sit out the last few episodes of BGT 2018, as well as Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, last spring

Time off: Ant’s personal issues saw him sit out the last few episodes of BGT 2018, as well as Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, last spring

Reunited: Meanwhile Dec looked happier than ever as he laughed and smiled while chatting to a pal at the supermarket, as he too prepared for filming

Dapper: The new father, 43, looked casually cool in a black quilted jacket paired with navy chinos and green trainers

Dapper: The new father, 43, looked casually cool in a black quilted jacket paired with navy chinos and green trainers

Casual cool: He donned a black and orange baseball cap to complete the look as he seen loading what appeared to chair cushions into his car

En-route: The star was in good spirits as he prepared to film with his best pal 

En-route: The star was in good spirits as he prepared to film with his best pal 

He entered rehab for a second time in March after he was involved in a three-car collision in Richmond and was discovered to be over the limit behind the wheel.

Ant pleaded guilty to drink-driving in April and he received a record-breaking £86,000 fine, as well as a 20-month ban from driving.  

Ant’s divorce to wife of 12 years Lisa Armstrong was finalised in October, and the star has since found romance with her former PA and pal Anne-Marie Corbett.  

Off air: It was also revealed that ITV hit show Saturday Night Takeaway, presented by Ant and Dec since 2002, has been cancelled until 2020

Off air: It was also revealed that ITV hit show Saturday Night Takeaway, presented by Ant and Dec since 2002, has been cancelled until 2020

Replacement: In November, Holly Willougby filled in for Ant on I'm A Celebrity as she starred alongside Dec in the jungle

Replacement: In November, Holly Willougby filled in for Ant on I’m A Celebrity as she starred alongside Dec in the jungle

Ant and Dec have been friends since they met on ITV show, Byker Grove, playing PJ and Duncan in 1989, before forging a successful TV and music career.

They live down the road from one another in West London and regularly holiday together, showing just how close they are. 

On his break last year, Ant said in a statement to MailOnline: ‘My recovery is going very well and for that to continue having spoken to Dec and ITV, I have made the decision to take the rest of the year off.’

He continued: ‘I’d like to thank both Dec and ITV for their continued support and I look forward to getting back to work in the new year.’

Troubles: Ant first sought rehab treatment in June 2017 after becoming addicted to prescription drugs and alcohol following a botched knee surgery in 2015

Troubles: Ant first sought rehab treatment in June 2017 after becoming addicted to prescription drugs and alcohol following a botched knee surgery in 2015

Difficult: He entered rehab for a second time in March after he was involved in a three-car collision in Richmond and was discovered to be over the limit behind the wheel

Difficult: He entered rehab for a second time in March after he was involved in a three-car collision in Richmond and was discovered to be over the limit behind the wheel

Split: Ant's divorce to wife of 12 years Lisa Armstrong was finalised in October (pictured in February 2016)

Split: Ant’s divorce to wife of 12 years Lisa Armstrong was finalised in October (pictured in February 2016)

Smitten: The star has since found romance with her former PA and pal Anne-Marie Corbett

Smitten: The star has since found romance with her former PA and pal Anne-Marie Corbett

Dec added: ‘Whilst I am obviously sad at the thought of being without my best friend in Australia this year, I am proud of the work Ant has been doing privately and I am fully supportive of his decision.  

‘I’m looking forward to us both being reunited on screen in 2019.’ 

This Morning host Holly, 37, confirmed last month that the troubled presenter will most definitely be back on the Australian-based reality series in 2019, despite rumours suggesting she was set to return again in his place. 

At the Dancing On Ice launch, Holly said: ‘It was a one-off, once in a lifetime adventure. 

‘Next year, I’ll be at home with everyone else having a glass of wine watching it.’  

Ant McPartlin’s year off work: A timeline

MARCH 2018 

Ant returns to rehab for a second time

Help: Ant entered rehab for a second time in March after he was involved in a three-car collision in Richmond and was discovered to be over the limit behind the wheel 

Help: Ant entered rehab for a second time in March after he was involved in a three-car collision in Richmond and was discovered to be over the limit behind the wheel 

APRIL 2018

Ant fined £86,000 for drink-driving 

Charge: The TV host was ordered to pay a £86,000 drink-drive fine after he was caught more than double the legal limit in a car crash

Charge: The TV host was ordered to pay a £86,000 drink-drive fine after he was caught more than double the legal limit in a car crash

JUNE 2018

Ant’s romance with Anne emerges

Smitten: The star has found romance with her former PA and pal Anne-Marie Corbett after his split from former wife Lisa Armstrong

Smitten: The star has found romance with her former PA and pal Anne-Marie Corbett after his split from former wife Lisa Armstrong

AUGUST 2018

Ant announces his break from TV 

Time off: In August last year, Ant revealed he's taking a break from presenting with co-host Declan Donnelly to focus on recovering from his painkiller addiction

Time off: In August last year, Ant revealed he’s taking a break from presenting with co-host Declan Donnelly to focus on recovering from his painkiller addiction

OCTOBER 2018 

Ant’s divorce from Lisa Armstrong is finalised

Split: Ant's divorce to wife of 12 years Lisa Armstrong was finalised in October (pictured in February 2016)

Split: Ant’s divorce to wife of 12 years Lisa Armstrong was finalised in October (pictured in February 2016)

NOVEMBER 2018 

Holly Willoughby steps in for Ant on I’m A Celeb 

Replacement: In November, Holly Willougby filled in for Ant on I'm A Celebrity as she starred alongside Dec in the jungle

Replacement: In November, Holly Willougby filled in for Ant on I’m A Celebrity as she starred alongside Dec in the jungle

JANUARY 2019 

Ant returns to Britain’s Got Talent 

He's back! Ant was pictured in London on Friday as he headed to filming Britain's Got Talent following a year off from his TV commitments

He’s back! Ant was pictured in London on Friday as he headed to filming Britain’s Got Talent following a year off from his TV commitments

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