Ant McPartlin ‘to be AXED from £20million deal with car firm Suzuki’

Ant McPartlin is allegedly on the brink of being dropped from his £20million ad deal with car company, Suzuki. 

According to The Sun, the Japanese automobile company no longer deem the TV presenter, 42, an appropriate fit for their brand following his arrest for a drink-drive incident at the weekend.

With his car ambassador status in question, Suzuki are now reportedly holding talks to discuss the troubled star’s future with the brand – with sources claiming that they are close to ending his current deal.  

Ambassador duties? Ant McPartlin is allegedly on the brink of being dropped from his £20million ad deal with car company, Suzuki

On Wednesday, Ant McPartlin checked into rehab following his three-car smash on Lower Richmond Road on Sunday afternoon.

And given the nature of the incident, car firm Suzuki – whose ads featuring presenting duo Ant and Dec have run during their ITV show Saturday Night Takeaway – are now reportedly thinking of dropping Ant as their ambassador.    

An industry insider told the publication: ‘Commercially it has been a big success for Suzuki, Ant, Dec and ITV – not to mention very lucrative.

‘But unfortunately they are looking at the prospect of ending things for now.

Called into question: According to The Sun, the Japanese company no longer deem the TV presenter,  an appropriate fit for their brand following his arrest for a drink-drive incident

Called into question: According to The Sun, the Japanese company no longer deem the TV presenter, an appropriate fit for their brand following his arrest for a drink-drive incident

'Ending things': Suzuki are now reportedly holding talks to discuss the troubled star's future with the brand - with sources claiming that they are close to ending his current deal

‘Ending things’: Suzuki are now reportedly holding talks to discuss the troubled star’s future with the brand – with sources claiming that they are close to ending his current deal

‘It’s possible Suzuki will retain a wider deal with the programme, but very unlikely Ant will appear in an ad for them again,’ it was concluded. 

Suzuki first struck a deal with Ant and Dec in 2015 and they have continued their ambassador duties since – but their partnership is now hanging in the balance. 

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Ant for further comment.  

Meanwhile, Ant was given ‘hugs and reassurances’ from Declan Donnelly before he checked into rehab on Wednesday following his drink-driving charge.

He was pictured leaving his rented £1.6million London home with a bag after Dec visited him there earlier in the day following his one-hour interview at Kingston Police Station about his three-car smash on Lower Richmond Road on Sunday afternoon.

Re-thinking: Given the nature of Ant's incident, car firm Suzuki - whose ads featuring  Ant and Dec have run during Saturday Night Takeaway - are now reportedly thinking of dropping Ant as their ambassador

Re-thinking: Given the nature of Ant’s incident, car firm Suzuki – whose ads featuring Ant and Dec have run during Saturday Night Takeaway – are now reportedly thinking of dropping Ant as their ambassador

'Unlikely he will appear in ads for them again': Suzuki first struck a deal with Ant and Dec in 2015 and they have continued their ambassador duties since - but their partnership is now hanging in the balance

‘Unlikely he will appear in ads for them again’: Suzuki first struck a deal with Ant and Dec in 2015 and they have continued their ambassador duties since – but their partnership is now hanging in the balance

Before their ’emotional meeting’ Dec announced he would host their ITV show Saturday Night Takeaway by himself for the final two episodes of the series.

Ant has been ‘hit hard’ by his painkiller addiction and impending £60million divorce from his wife of 11 years Lisa.

He made the decision to return to rehab and step away from his job on Tuesday. The two final episodes of his show Saturday Night Takeaway will also go ahead without him, leaving Declan Donnelly to present alone for the first time in their careers.

Troubles: Meanwhile, Ant was given 'hugs and reassurances' from Declan Donnelly before he checked into rehab on Wednesday following his drink-driving charge

Troubles: Meanwhile, Ant was given ‘hugs and reassurances’ from Declan Donnelly before he checked into rehab on Wednesday following his drink-driving charge

Solo act: The two final episodes of his show Saturday Night Takeaway will also go ahead without Ant, leaving Declan Donnelly to present alone for the first time in their careers

Solo act: The two final episodes of his show Saturday Night Takeaway will also go ahead without Ant, leaving Declan Donnelly to present alone for the first time in their careers

In a statement, Ant’s publicist said: ‘Ant has decided to go back into treatment and step down from his current TV commitments. He has spoken with Dec and ITV and asked for time off for the foreseeable future.’

And speaking of his estranged other half Lisa Armstrong, a source told The Sun on Thursday: ‘Lisa really thinks she could have helped to save him.

‘She’s been upset watching on from afar and thinks she might be able to get him through the situation.’

‘But those close to Ant insist their struggling marriage was only making his problems worse, saying: ‘The relationship wasn’t helping. Ending it was a positive step.’

In a statement, Ant's publicist said: 'Ant has decided to go back into treatment and step down from his current TV commitments. He has spoken with Dec and ITV and asked for time off for the foreseeable future'

In a statement, Ant’s publicist said: ‘Ant has decided to go back into treatment and step down from his current TV commitments. He has spoken with Dec and ITV and asked for time off for the foreseeable future’



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