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taking a break

Ant McPartlin removed from I’m A Celebrity WhatsApp chat so he can ‘focus on recovery’

ANT McPartlin has been removed from the I’m A Celebrity group WhatsApp chat as he takes a break from this year’s series of the show.

The television presenter, 43, usually presents the ITV show alongside Dec Donnelly, also 43, but he is currently on a break after experiencing personal issues this year.

 Ant has taken a break from I'm A Celeb this year
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Ant has taken a break from I'm A Celeb this yearCredit: Getty - Contributor
Ant McPartlin makes a return to TV in I'm A Celebrity... Extra Camp flashback

Regular This Morning frontwoman Holly Willoughby, 37, has temporarily taken his spot this season and Ant, who recently divorced wife Lisa Armstrong, is serious about taking a step back at the moment so he can concentrate on his health after alcohol and prescription medication problems.

Holly’s This Morning co-host Phillip Schofield has said Ant is not keeping up to date with the goings on in Australia, where the reality show is filmed, by text or over the phone with Phil, Holly and Dec as he usually does.

When asked if he had been in contact with good friend Ant, Phil told “I think Ant is concentrating on himself and so, no, we’re all letting him get well."

Phillip has still been getting all the I’m A Celeb news sent to him from Down Under by his telly pals Holly and Dec.

 The star usually presents the show along site friend Dec Donnelly
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The star usually presents the show along site friend Dec DonnellyCredit: ITV Plc
 Holly Willoughby has stepped in while Ant takes care of himself
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Holly Willoughby has stepped in while Ant takes care of himselfCredit: Rex Features
Holly Willoughby jokes that she and the I’m A Celebrity crew call Dec Donnelly Short Number but he doesn’t like his new nickname



And Holly has even been messaging Phillip whilst filming the show as they have time out during VTs and advertisement breaks.

He said: “It’s me, Dec and Holly. I started it when they went out. We had a couple of chats before that.

"I didn't say anything the day of her first show, or the lead up to her first show, or during her first show as the last thing you want to do is be distracted.

 Phillip Schofield is usually sent gossip from the jungle by Ant and Dec
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Phillip Schofield is usually sent gossip from the jungle by Ant and DecCredit: Getty Images - Getty

"Both Ant and Dec and myself have also got a WhatsApp group for when they were out there. They’re very much like me. You can text or WhatsApp someone during a commercial break or long VT.

"It took Holly a day or two to settle in. I got the first WhatsApp from her on the group during a commercial break and though 'that’s it, she’s comfortable'."

Listen to talkRADIO's cheeky, no-holds-barred take on the action Down Under. Hosted by Jamie East with daily guests, including former campmates and celeb reality TV fans the gang will dish the dirt on the REAL behind-the-scenes gossip. Read more here.

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