Ant McPartlin news: Ant looks downcast as he arrives at court to face drink-drive charge
ANT MCPARTLIN looked downcast as he arrived at court today to face his drink-driving charge after being arrested last month.
Ant McPartlin arrives at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court
The Ant and Dec star appeared somber as he emerged from a vehicle and headed into Wimbledon Magistrates Court this afternoon.
The presenter wore a three-piece navy suit complete with a crisp white shirt for his appearance.
Ant, 42, was surrounded by photographers as he made his way inside the building.
Police also guarded the entrance as he took to the steps and entered the court.
Ant was originally due to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on April 4, but the hearing was adjourned.
The Geordie presenter was arrested last month after being involved in a car accident with a green Mini, which contained a couple and their young child, and a BMW.
It was reported the presenter failed a breathalyser test at the scene and was taken away by police.
According to the Mirror, the 42-year-old ITV favourite’s breathalyser reading was 75mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath, while the legal limit is 35mcg.
The publication reported his charge sheet alleges the star “drove a motor vehicle, namely a Black Mini… after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in your breath, namely 75 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeded the prescribed limit”.
A representative for Ant declined to comment as it is a legal case.
If Ant is found guilty, the penalty of driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink could see him get six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine and a driving ban for at least one year.
In the days after Ant’s arrest a statement from the Metropolitan Police said: "A man has been charged following a road traffic collision in Lower Richmond Road, SW14 that occurred on Sunday, March 18.
"Anthony McPartlin of Chiswick has been charged by postal requisition on Wednesday, March 21 with drink driving."
The Ant and Dec star has since pulled out of his upcoming TV commitments and asked for time off for the “foreseeable future”.
Ant is currently seeking treatment following a stint in rehab last year, after struggling with an addiction to painkillers which he developed after a knee operation back in 2015.
The popular host recently missed out on presenting the final two episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway with his TV sidekick, Declan Donnelly.
And the star will also be absent from the Britain’s Got Talent live semi-finals next month, leaving Dec to present alone.
A statement released by ITV read: “Dec will be hosting the live shows which for the first time ever are coming from the Hammersmith Apollo while Ant steps down from his TV commitments for now.
"We send Ant all our love. And we know that Dec will do a brilliant job.”
Ant will still feature in the auditions stages of the ITV show which were filmed earlier this year.