Oh, Anthony, what have you done.
For those that don’t know, Anthony McPartlin, one half of the comedy duo Ant & Dec, was arrested for drink driving on March 18th this year after he crashed into two other cars, one of which was carrying a young child. He is due to appear in Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on April 16th.
Getting behind the wheel of a car after drinking lots is never excusable, and failing a breathalyzer test by over twice the legal amount - with your mother in the car, nonetheless - is frankly horrifying.
And yet, I can’t help but want the best for him. He has since re-entered rehab, and with luck he will come out a changed man. Does this change what choices he made? Does this mean he doesn’t deserve punishment? Of course not. He could have seriously injured someone, or worse, and I hope he understands that.
I would be a hypocrite if I said I thought any negative effect on his career was unjustified after writing this article on the casting of Johnny Depp in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. But it is sad to see an icon of British reality entertainment television fall from grace, especially considering the effect this will have on his (ahem) partner-in-crime, Declan Donnelly.
Dec hosted the last few episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway solo, and is likely going to do the same for I’m A Celebrity… and the upcoming 12th season of Britain’s Got Talent. As their duo career spans nearly 30 years, it’s sad to see Dec on stage by himself, and this will be a time of reflection for both men.
This story will be updated after the verdict on April 16th.
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