Ant McPartlin has opened up about being diagnosed with a condition he described as ‘life changing’
Ant McPartlin has courageously spoken out about his “life-changing” ADHD diagnosis. The 49 year old TV presenter, currently co-hosting I’m A Celebrity with Declan Donnelly, revealed that he has learned to live with the neurodevelopmental disorder, characterised by symptoms such as hyperactivity and emotional dysregulation.
Reflecting on his journey to diagnosis in 2019, Ant shared, “I’ve got ADHD. I don’t mind talking about it. I underwent thorough evaluations and assessments, and through that process, I uncovered aspects of myself that I hadn’t confronted in years.”
Ant expressed his support for others facing similar challenges, acknowledging the significant impact ADHD has had on his personal life. However, he did note that the diagnosis has actually been beneficial in his job, allowing him to “switch gears quickly” and tackle various tasks, reports The Express.
Ant’s diagnosis came after his 2018 arrest for drink-driving, and he highlighted the strong link between ADHD and alcohol dependency. Other celebrities, including fellow I’m A Celebrity star Sam Thompson, have also spoken out about their experiences with ADHD, with Sam describing it as his “super power” on This Morning.
During Monday’s episode of I’m A Celeb, presenters Ant and Dec invoked ‘Female Boss’ Tulisa as TikTok sensation GK Barry faced the latest Bushtucker Trial. Back in 2011, Tulisa was known for her “Female Boss” tattoo, which she proudly displayed on her forearm during X Factor episodes.
As GK Barry embarked on the intense first Bushtucker Trial, the Geordie pair confidently referenced the famous ink, aiming to motivate her while she braved a horde of bugs. Tasked with a ten-minute deadline, GK had to navigate through a dark labyrinth of caves and tunnels within a smouldering volcano, hunting for stars hidden in the gloom.
Amidst the nerve-wracking challenge, she shouted, “What would Tulisa do? ” while insects scuttled around her. Ant, capturing the moment, struck a pose and flexed his arm, echoing Tulisa’s gesture, and proclaimed, “She would act like a boss,” giving GK the boost she needed to continue.
Later, as GK moved past the spider’s lair, a large spider hitched a ride on her helmet, causing a stir among the hosts. While many viewers commended GK Barry for her performance in the trial, some questioned her loud screams despite her completing the task with relative ease.
Comments on X included: “GK Barry is a screamer and although she’s not endeared herself to me personality-wise there’s a lot of people who love her. She’s also set herself up as a regular trial entertainer. I think the screaming is fake.” Another chimed in: “GK Barry the classic scream the whole first episode to get airtime to do the trial, then nail pretending to be terrified.”
