Ant McPartlin to return to rehab as he steps down from current TV commitments with Saturday Night Takeaway cancelled this weekend after ‘drink driving’ arrest

ANT McPartlin is going back to rehab following his “drink-driving” arrest on Sunday, his publicist has confirmed.

The statement also said this weekend’s episode of Saturday Night Takeaway had been cancelled.

10

The statement, which was released on Twitter, said: “Ant has decided to go back into treatment and step down from his current TV commitments.

“He has spoken with Dec and ITV today and asked for time off for the foreseeable future.

“As such Saturday Night Takeaway will not be going ahead this Saturday.”

An ITV spokesperson added: “ITV has taken a joint decision with Ant and Dec’s team not to broadcast Saturday Night Takeaway this weekend.

10

10

“We will be reviewing options for the last two episodes of the series (March 31 and April 7) which would not feature Ant who is taking time off to seek treatment. We very much hope that he gets the help that he needs.”

The Sun exclusively revealed that Ant, 42, had been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving on Sunday.

We reported how the Geordie telly veteran was “agitated and argumentative” with a policewoman as she arrested him.

He was held in police custody for more than ten hours before being released under investigation and returning to his home in the early hours of this morning.

10

Witness Jake Spencer said Britain's Got Talent star Ant had rowed with officers as they tried to put him in a police car after he failed a breath test at the crash scene.

He added: “Ant looked in a right state and was acting argumentatively toward a policewoman. I couldn’t believe it when I saw who it was.”

After we revealed the news of his arrest, Ant's fans feared Saturday Night Takeaway, which earlier this month celebrated it's one hundredth episode, would be axed.

10

His loyal followers also revealed their concerns when he failed to take time off work after confirming his 11-year-marriage to make-up artist Lisa Armstrong had ended.

Ant bravely opened up to The Sun about his first stint in treatment back in August last year.

10

In the emotional interview, Ant revealed how he hid a crippling drug addiction and battle with depression from his friends and family.

His descent into prescription drug addiction came after he damaged his knee in 2014, then had a botched operation on it the following year.

Ant recovered and was given a hero's welcome by fans when he returned to host I'm A Celebrity: Get Me Out Of Here! last year.

10

But fans were stunned when the details of Ant's arrest were revealed.

Earlier today The Sun published CCTV footage of Ant's car just seconds before its alleged collision with two other vehicles in West London.

Euro Cafe’s footage shows Ant driving a £26,000 John Cooper special edition black mini with two distinctive red stripes.

10

10

MOST READ IN TV & SHOWBIZ

'PAINFUL SITUATION'

Jessica Simpson splits from Eric Johnson after 10 years of marriage

Oh baby!

Michelle Keegan's gives glimpse of her baby bump on Brassic set ahead of birth

NICOLE LACES AHEAD

Nicole Scherzinger, 46, wows as she goes braless in sexy lace bodysuit

KANYE BELIEVE IT?

Kanye West posts then quickly deletes VERY risque pic of Bianca Censori

His mum Christine was in the car with Ant when it crashed and looked shocked as she stood at the side of the road while he was arrested.

She was later seen at his home in London looking ashen faced.

Ant has not been seen in public since he returned to his house in the early hours of today.

10

Got a story? email [email protected] or call us direct on 02077824220.

We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.