Dec Donnelly speaks out about Holly Willoughby replacing Ant McPartlin on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!
Last month, Ant McPartlin announced that he was checking into rehab for two months to deal with his demons.
The TV personality admitted that he was addicted to prescription drugs and alcohol, and told fans that depression led to his substance abuse.
Fans rushed to offer the star their support, with his wife Lisa telling her Twitter followers that she was completely overwhelmed by the love they had both received.
Check out: Celebrities you forgot were on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here
Celebrities you forgot were on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here - slider
1 of 17I'm A Celebrity... series 1: Uri Geller
Self-proclaimed psychic and television magician and illusionist tried to get the camp to join in him in contacting Michael Jackson from the jungle in series 1 back in 2002. Unfortunately, the rest of the camp mates weren't so keen. Series 1 winner: Tony Blackburn.
2 of 17I'm A Celebrity... series 2: Danniella Westbrook
Danniella appeared on the show in series two, but quit after nine days as she couldn't stand to be away from her kids and her then husband, Kevin Jenkins. Series 2 winner: Phil Tufnell.
3 of 17I'm A Celebrity...series 3: Neil Ruddock
After a stint in Celebrity Big Brother, former footballer Neil 'Razor' Ruddock also jetted off to Australia for a bit of R&R in the jungle. This is was the year Katie Price and Peter Andre found love!Series 3 winner: Kerry Katona
4 of 17I'm A Celebrity... series 4: Vic Reeves and Nancy Sorrell
Vic and Nancy appeared on the show together back in 2004. While Nancy was an original camp mate, Vic (whose real name is Jim Moir, was a late arrival.Series 4 winner: Joe Pasquale
5 of 17I'm A Celebrity... series 5: Anthony Costa
Former Blue member Anthony appeared on I'm A Celebrity series 5 in 2005. Series 5 winner: Carol Thatcher
6 of 17I'm A Celebrity... series 6: Dean Gaffney
EastEnder's actor Dean Gaffney checked into the jungle in 2006. Other celebs in the camp this year include: David Gest, Jason Donovan and Mylene Klass of the famous white bikini shower scene. Series 6 winner: Matt Willis
7 of 17I'm A Celebrity... series 13: Matthew Wright
Daytime TV legend and talkRadio host Matthew Wright entered the jungle in 2013, and rubbed a number of the camp mates up the wrong way.Series 13 winner: Kian EganHe hilariously branded Westlife singer Kian Egan a 'scab' and was particularly nasty about Joey Essex, calling the series "all about Joey".
8 of 17I'm A Celebrity... series 7: Katie Hopkins
Controversial Katie Hopkins is often included in round ups of celebs rumoured to be appearing on various reality TV shows, but she did actually appear on I'm A Celeb back in 2007. She was the first to be voted off, though. Series 7 winner: Christopher Biggins.
9 of 17I'm A Celebrity... series 8: Simon Webbe
Another Blue member we forgot enjoyed a stint in the I'm A Celeb camp. Now that our memory's been jogged, we do briefly remember Simon causing a bit of a stir in the famous waterfall shower....Series 8 winner: Joe Swash.
10 of 17I'm A Celebrity... series 9: Kim Woodburn
We mainly associate Kim with her January 2017 Celebrity Big Brother appearance and vast array of original insults. BUT, before all that Kim battled Bushtucker Trials in the ninth series of I'm A Celebrity. Series 9 winner: Gino D'Acampo.
11 of 17I'm A Celebrity... series 10: Aggro Santos
Back in 2010 pop star (ish) Aggro Santos took part in the 10th series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Series 10 winner: Stacey Solomon.
12 of 17I'm A Celebrity... series 11: Sinitta
When we think of Sinitta, we mainly just think of that time she rocked up to The X Factor Judges' Houses wearing nothing but leaves - so it's easy to forget she enjoyed a brief stint in the Jungle in 2011. Series 11 winner: Dougie Poynter.
13 of 17I'm A Celebrity... series 12: Hugo Taylor
In 2012 Hugo Taylor swapped his Chelsea life of luxury to slum it in the I'm A Celebrity jungle. Series 12 winner: Charlie Brooks.
14 of 17I'm A Celebrity... series 13: Joey Essex
The Only Way Is Essex star flew off to Aus to impart his pearls of wisdom onto the guys in Croc Creek back in 2013. Series 13 winner: Kian Egan.
15 of 17I'm A Celebrity... series 14: Tinchy Stryder
Remember Tinchy Stryder? Joined by Jake Quickenden, Jimmy Bullard and (very briefly) Gemma Collins, the UK rapper enjoyed a stay in the jungle in 2014. Series 14 winner: Carl Fogarty.
16 of 17I'm A Celebrity... series 15: Spencer Matthews
You'll be forgiven for forgetting about Spencer's I'm A Celeb stint as he was in the Jungle for about five minutes (five days). Spenny had to quit the show in 2015 'on medical grounds'.Series 15 winner: Vicky Pattinson.
17 of 17I'm A Celebrity... series 16: Lisa Snowdon
Lisa was the second celeb to be voted out of 2016's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! (Danny Baker was the first to leave).Series 16 winner: Scarlett Moffatt.
Ant’s on-screen co-host Declan Donnelly has also spoken out to support his best friend and to wish him well in his recovery.
However, people began to speculate whether Ant and Dec will be able to host I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! as they usually do at the end of every year.
Rumours began swirling that their friend, Holly Willoughby, could step in to replace Ant if he was unable to work.
A source told The Daily Star: "I’m A Celeb is ITV’s biggest show of the year and they’re keen to get a plan in place should Ant want to continue his down time.
"Holly is the number one choice, she’s the nation’s favourite and already a huge fan of the show – the perfect Jane of the jungle to Dec’s Tarzan!
"Building on-screen chemistry and relationships is what Holly does best, which is perfect for the jungle."
However, The Daily Mirror reports that it’s completely untrue, with a source saying: "Dec wouldn’t work on screen without Ant on any major show and he has said the last thing he would do is go to Australia without him.
"To say he would consider working with Holly was ridiculous. He is a good friend of hers but he would not do that to Ant."
At the time of Ant’s rehab announcement, ITV vowed to give Ant ‘whatever help he needs’ and have reportedly told Ant that the door is always open for him.
An insider told The Sun: "The feeling amongst senior executives is that Ant has been very brave to admit this. He’s got our total backing and he knows he can take as much time as he needs.
"If there’s anything we can do to support him in getting better then of course he only needs to ask – he’s a huge part of the ITV family and that isn’t going to change."
Although people are asking questions about who will host the popular show, the most important thing is that Ant is supported during his recovery and that he is given time to get better.
We’re wishing you well on your journey to recovery, Ant.
UPDATE: It's now been confirmed that Holly has replaced Ant and will co-host I'm A Celebrity alongside Dec this year. You'll be happy to hear that there's no bitterness and Dec admitted Holly was at the top of his list.
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