Could Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway lose '£20million' Suzuki sponsorship after Ant McPartlin drink drive arrest?
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Suzuki's '£20million' sponsorship deal with Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway is believed to have been one of the biggest British non-sports TV deals.
But in light of Ant McPartlin's drink drive arrest following a three-car smash in south west London on Sunday, the car giant has revealed it is 'in dialogue' with ITV regarding the remainder of the two-year contract.
Responding to a statement from ITV which confirmed the show will not air at all this Saturday, and that Ant will not feature in the remaining two shows as he seeks treatment in rehab, a Suzuki spokesperson told Mirror Online: “Suzuki GB PLC is aware of a statement issued this evening by ITV.
"Suzuki will remain in dialogue with ITV and advise media when appropriate regarding the last two episodes of the series, please note that no further comment is available from Suzuki at this time”.
Earlier today, Ant - who last year underwent treatment for an addiction to painkillers - sensationally confirmed he's heading back to rehab following his drink drive arrest.
“Ant has decided to go back into treatment and step down from his current TV commitments," a statement from Ant and Dec's rep said.
"He has spoken with Dec and ITV today and asked for time off for the foreseeable future. As such ‘Saturday Night Takeaway’ will not be going ahead this Saturday.”
ITV released its own statement, confirming this week's show will not go ahead, and that Dec may front the popular series alone for the remaining two weeks.
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
(Image: MailOnline)
Did you see what happened at Ant's crash site? Email webcelebs@trinitymirror.com to tell your story
“ITV has taken a joint decision with Ant and Dec’s team not to broadcast Saturday Night Takeaway this weekend," a spokesperson said.
“We will be reviewing options for the last two episodes of the series (March 31 and April 7) which would not feature Ant who is taking time off to seek treatment. We very much hope that he gets the help that he needs.”
(Image: Daily Mirror)
(Image: Daily Mirror)
(Image: Daily Mirror)
(Image: WENN.com)
Footage emerged showing the 42-year-old looking shell shocked and unsteady on his feet just seconds after a three-car smash.
The TV favourite was nicked by cops after crashing his black Mini into two other vehicles on Sunday afternoon. He failed a roadside breathalyser test and was held in police custody for 10 hours for questioning.
His mum Christine Woodhall was in the car at the time, having gone for a walk with her son and their dogs at nearby Richmond Park. She returned to the west London home they now share since Ant's split from his wife Lisa Armstrong, and was seen leaving this morning to be smuggled away in a luxury Mercedes van.
Earlier today he was locked in 'crisis talks' with his management team hours after being arrested and held on suspicion of drink-driving.
(Image: Daily Mirror)
(Image: Daily Mirror)
Ant still has 18 months left of his three-year £30million 'golden handcuffs' deal with the TV company and had been scheduled to work on the three remaining episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway, Britain's Got Talent and November's I'm A Celebrity.
It was around this time last year that Ant's addictions to prescription painkillers and alcohol were really taking their toll on the telly star - which he came clean about in an emotional interview in July 2017.
A 'botched' knee operation had left Ant in agony and he'd turned to substance abuse to help cope with the pain.
Revealing his struggle to The Sun, he thanked his now estranged wife Lisa Armstrong for helping him though.
"I want to thank my wife, family and closest friends for helping me through this really difficult time. I was at the point where anything — prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs — I would take," he said in July.
"And take them with alcohol, which is ridiculous. The doctors told me, 'You could have killed yourself'. The great thing is I spoke to a lot of the medical team and I'm not an alcoholic. I was just drinking too much to numb the pain.
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
(Image: Flynet)
(Image: Instagram/lisaamkup)
"It was never crazy — I wouldn't wake up in the morning and have a drink. But it was the mixing pills with alcohol that was deadly," he added.
Ant then entered a private rehab centre for drying-out treatment and seemed back to his normal self when he returned to TV screens in November for I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!.
"I've taken a little break from booze — I've done two months and I’ll do a little bit longer," Ant revealed in the same interview.
"But I'm looking forward to having a pint. God, yes! I can't go to Australia and not have a cold one at the surf club with Dec like we normally do.
"That's something to look forward to but I have to get well first."