Ant McPartlin has opened up about life-changing health diagnosis, revealing he had been struggling for years before being diagnosed with ADHD.
The 49-year-old star of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! has enjoyed a successful career, winning numerous awards alongside his best friend and co-host, Declan Donnelly.
However, behind the scenes, McPartlin has been managing ADHD, a condition that went undiagnosed until 2018, following his car crash and subsequent drink-driving arrest.
The Geordie presenter said of his experience with the condition, which is characterised by symptoms like inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity: "I've got ADHD. I don't mind talking about that.
“I was so thoroughly examined and diagnosed, I found stuff out about me I hadn't addressed for years.”
In a resurfaced 2019 interview with The Sun, McPartlin said his diagnosis instantly “made sense” to him, as the condition is often linked to struggles with alcohol, explaining: “There are a lot of links to alcohol-dependency, which I studied a lot when I was away.”
He added that his ADHD benefited him in his line of work: "In my job, having what they call 'popcorn thinking' is good because it means you can jump from one thing to another. Professionally it's brilliant. Personally I'm all over the place."
Giving his support to others with ADHD, he concluded: “There will be so many others who will be struggling and my heart goes out to them.”
ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a “condition that affects people's behaviour”, according to the NHS.
People with ADHD may also have additional problems, such as sleep and anxiety disorders.
The father-of-one joins a growing list of celebrities who have spoken openly about their ADHD diagnoses in recent years, including I’m A Celeb winner Sam Thompson, Lily Allen, and Sheridan Smith,, all of whom have shared their experiences with the condition.
Elsewhere, McPartlin has admitted he was "moved to tears" after watching I’m A Celebrity contestant Barry McGuigan speak openly about the grief of losing his daughter.
The presenter shared that seeing McGuigan become emotional over his daughter Danika's passing "really got to him" during a discussion with co-host Declan Donnelly on ITV2’s Unpacked on Monday.
During the main show, viewers praised Barry for his bravery in addressing his loss, as he reflected on Danika's death in a heartfelt moment aired on Monday night.
McPartlin, who welcomed his first child earlier this year, shared with hosts Joel Dommett, Kemi Rodgers, and Sam Thompson that he had seen the emotional scenes before they aired, admitting: "That really got me.
“We watched it earlier in the day, before the show, and I was crying. I can't imagine losing a child and he didn't want to go there but he couldn't help it.
“I thought the campmates were really lovely with him.”
The Northern Irish boxer shared his heartbreak on Monday's episode, speaking about the loss of his daughter Danika, who passed away at just 33 in 2019 following a battle with cancer.
McGuigan revealed that she faced significant health challenges from a young age, having been diagnosed with leukemia aged 11.
