After another barnstorming episode of "Saturday Night Takeaway" this weekend featuring the super-talented Geordie duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, the country woke up on Monday to the shocking news that Ant had been arrested after being involved in a three-car accident. He was breathalysed and subsequently arrested for drink-driving.

Ant's difficult year

This latest disaster comes hot on the heels of Ant's recent spell in rehab after admitting to an addiction to painkilling drugs and alcohol. However, Britain's best-loved presenting pair were back together for this year's "I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here," and made light of Ant's absence.

In addition to his problems with drink and drugs, the Geordie star also split from his wife of 11 years, Lisa Armstrong. The pair seemed to be in fine form though, with another win for Best Presenters under their belts at the National Television Awards for the 17th year running.

What next for Ant and Dec?

A statement has been released by a spokesperson for Ant McPartlin stating that the star was going to be taking a break from TV commitments for the "foreseeable future." Given that the duo host three of ITV's biggest programmes in "Takeaway", "I'm a Celebrity" and "Britain's Got Talent" this is a decision that can't have been taken lightly.

Public sympathy was well and truly behind Ant after his recent spell in rehab, but opinion on this occasion seems to be divided as the public took to Twitter to voice their views for both sides of the argument from the sympathetic;

To the not so sympathetic;

Given that this recent mishap involved drink-driving, a car accident and an injury to a young child, maybe it is little wonder that the public and the media are running short on sympathy for Mr.

McPartlin.

There is little doubt that he really is a supremely talented presenter but how much longer can the nation continue to brush misdemeanours under the carpet. Only time will tell whether they will forgive.

The Geordie duo so far.

After meeting as teenagers on the set of children's drama "Byker Grove", the duo have progressed through the world of pop as PJ and Duncan, into children's presenting with SMTV and have now reached the heights where it seems that whatever they touch turns to gold.

With a personal wealth of around £60 million each, the stars were best man at each others wedding and spend time together off screen as well as on.

Their chemistry is not one that has been manufactured, they are quite clearly best-friends and it is that natural charm that has endeared them to the nation. But has Ant McPartlin tried the nation's patience once too often? Only time will tell. If he has, then it will leave a gap that will be very, very hard to fill.
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