Ant McPartlin, 41, revealed he was bursting with excitement to be back on the small screen as he touched down in Australia ahead of this year’s I’m A Celebrity.
The embattled star admitted he was ‘feeling great’ after he was reunited with his close pal and presenting partner Dec Donnelly.
Determined to put on a ‘good show’, the television host revealed he had bounced back following his stint in rehab to battle his alcohol and drug addiction.
‘I’m excited to be back’: Ant McPartlin reveals he is ‘feeling great’ as he is reunited with his pal Declan Donnelly when they touch down in Australia together ahead of I’m A Celebrity
It has been a tough year for the presenter who has suffered as a result of a devastating knee injury.
He told The Sun: ‘I’m excited to be back, I can’t wait. It’s going to be a good show. I’m feeling great.
‘The flight was all right, I had a lot of sleep and me and Dec had a good catch-up.’
Sharing his excitement at being back with his BFF Ant, Dec said: ‘It’s brilliant to be back together – it’s perfect. Everything slots back into place. We can’t wait and we are raring to go.’
Ant and Dec couldn’t hide their delight to be reunited when they arrived in Australia on Saturday, just days ahead of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!.
He’s back! The embattled star admitted he was ‘feeling great’ after he was reunited with his close pal and presenting partner Dec Donnelly
The embattled TV presenter was pictured making his way through Brisbane airport, alongside his close pal, as the duo prepare to front the latest series of the much-loved reality show.
Ant’s appearance on I’m A Celeb had been heavily speculated about, following his rehab stay over the summer, but appearing in high spirits, he seemed ready and raring to get started.
He couldn’t hide his delight, as he shared a joke with Dec while heading into their taxi together.
Double delight: Ant McPartlin and pal Dec Donnelly can’t hide their joy as they touch down in Australia ahead of this year’s I’m A Celeb on Saturday
Famed for their charming charisma and good humour, it is no surprise the pair were in jovial spirits. The presenters were stylishly in sync, when they sheltered their faces from the blazing Oz sun in baseball caps, and both favouring casual ensembles for their long-haul flight.
Ant was pictured pushing his numerous suitcases through the airport exit, as he prepares to set up home Down Under over the next few weeks, as I’m A Celebrity plays out on our screens.
His arrival in Oz follows a slew of this year’s rumoured campmates, as a number of celebrities including former footballer Dennis Wise, Made In Chelsea star Georgia ‘Toff’ Toffolo and The Saturdays singer Vanessa White have all been spotted in Brisbane.
Jungle team: The presenters were stylishly in sync, when they sheltered their faces from the blazing Oz sun in baseball caps
Inside jokes: Famed for their charming charisma and good humour, it is no surprise the pair were in jovial spirits
Earlier in the day, Ant appeared to confirm his return to I’m A Celebrity…, as he was spotted at a London airport alongside co-host Dec.
The duo were snapped by an excited fan as they embarked on their journey to Australia, ahead of the show’s eagerly anticipated kick-off on November 19.
Revealed: It is no surprise that no one was more thrilled that Ant was back to business than his close partner Dec who beamed from ear-to-ear
Carefree: The troubled presenter showed he was well and truly back on top form as he exuded confidence when he strolled through the busy terminal
Despite a tough year, which has seen him battle drug and alcohol addiction, Ant was seen looking relaxed and smiling while obligingly posing with fans.
While his wife Lisa Armstrong was seen beaming as she stepped out in London the same day- despite claims they are ‘reevaluating their 11-year marriage’ .
The 41-year-old TV favourite, who completed a stint in rehab for alcohol and drug dependency earlier this year, was seen relaxing in the airport ahead of the long-haul flight while smiling broadly and sporting low-key garb.
Game ready! Ant pushed a scarlet suitcase with the phrase ‘game ready’ emblazoned across it, seeming to declare he was ready to propel himself back into the spotlight
It’s been a journey: The television sensation has had a tough year which has seen him battle drug and alcohol addiction
Time heals: Despite the tough year, Ant looked relaxed as he smiled for the cameras from his taxi after arriving Down Under with Dec
The snaps were quickly shared to social media, with the caption: ‘Ant and Dec with fans at the airport earlier today, they’re heading off to Australia for #ImACeleb’.
He looked healthier than ever despite recent reports that he is currently ‘re-evaluating’ his marriage to wife Lisa, who shared a message on Twitter in which she branded herself a ‘f**king legend’ through a cheeky meme.
Following the message, Lisa, 41, was seen smiling amid reports of a rift, as she stepped out in casual attire in rainy London on Saturday.
Back where he belongs! Ant looked happy and healthy as he cut a casual figure in a woolly cardigan and jeans, perfect for the long-haul flight
Bring it on! The well-loved presenting pair looked excited for the weeks ahead, as a hype around the jungle has been building
Practical: Pushing a trolley full of luggage, Ant proved he was prepared to throw himself back into work following his time away from the limelight
Ant has suffered a difficult 2017, after admitting in June he had been battling a two-year addiction to painkillers after a devastating knee injury, but has been on the up after successfully completing his rehab stint.
While there were long-running questions over his return, his appearance at the airport seemed to confirm his triumphant comeback for the 17th series of the hit show, having overcome his demons in the past weeks.
As Ant seemed firmly on the road to recovery, his wife Lisa seemed to also be on the up as she took to Twitter on Friday to share a snap about being ‘a f**king legend’.
What a comeback! Ant appeared to confirm his return to I’m A Celebrity… as he was spotted at London airport alongside co-host and close pal Declan Donnelly on Saturday
Happier now: Embattled Ant was seen looking relaxed and smiling on Friday as he took his dog for a stroll in London, days before he is set to jet Down Under
Pre-jungle madness! The duo were snapped by an excited fan as they made their way to Australia, ahead of the show’s eagerly anticipated kick-off on November 19
Heading off: Ant, who completed a stint in rehab for alcohol and drug dependency earlier this year, waved to passersby during his amble with Hurley as he prepares to return to work on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here next week
Back again! I’m A Celeb is set to return to screens shortly – making for Ant’s first return to work since he first confessed to his woes
Positivity: As Ant seemed firmly on the road to recovery, his wife Lisa seemed to also be on the up as she took to Twitter to share a snap about being ‘a f**king legend’
In June, Ant confirmed he planned to battle his demons- after admitting he had spiralled into depression and substance abuse following the painful knee injury and fertility issues.
Ant revealed his plans to check in to rehab for alcohol and drug addiction, when he told The Sun about his demons, and admitted he’s ‘let people down’ before thanking his wife Lisa and co-star Declan for the support provided.
Earlier this month, sources claimed that Ant was ‘re-evaluating’ his marriage after moving out to a location, just a few streets away from his £6million mansion where Lisa. An insider told The Sun: ‘They are effectively leading separate lives.’
Troubled times? While Ant continues to wear his wedding ring, Lisa has been pictured without hers in recent weeks, fuelling fears over their relationship
Speculation over the pair’s marriage has intensified of late compounded by the fact that while Ant continues to wear his wedding ring, Lisa has been pictured without hers in recent weeks.
Despite heading Down Under in a matter of days, the star is said to living away from Lisa, in a £1.6million rental home registered in the name of a private company.
Sources claim that Ant is currently ‘re-evaluating everything’ while taking some time away from Lisa, adding to the publication: ‘[Ant] said he needs space and everyone respects that.’
They have claimed that Ant’s stay in Australia will act as a ‘make or break’ few weeks for himself and his wife, as they will use the time apart to ‘decide how they feel about each other’.
Ant and Dec have presented I’m A Celebrity since its inaugural series in 2002.
Back again: The duo have starred on I’m A Celeb since its inaugural series in 2002
National treasures: The pair have kept audience members tuning in for a mammoth 16 series