Holly Willoughby reveals reason why she didn't address Ant McPartlin's arrest on This Morning

Holly Willoughby opens up over Ant McPartlin's arrest
ITV
Ella Wills14 April 2018
The Weekender

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Holly Willoughby has revealed the reason why she chose not to comment on Ant McPartlin's arrest on suspicion of drink-driving, saying "his is not my story to tell".

This Morning viewers were outraged when Willoughby, 37, and her presenting partner Phillip Schofield appeared to pass over McPartlin's arrest as the news emerged.

But Willoughby told The Guardian the pair did not deliberately avoid discussing the issue.

The 37-year-old ITV presenter said she decided not to speak only about the star "out of respect for him", adding that she felt it was not something anyone should be talking about.

"It's an ongoing police case right now," she said.

The TV presenter said McPartlin "is a very good friend of mine", explaining that the incident is not something she finds very easy to speak about.

Willoughby and Schofield are well-known personal friends of the troubled Saturday Night Takeaway presenter.

"He's just got to look after himself," Willoughby concluded.

Willoughby and Schofield addressed the incident on a later episode of This Morning, saying they were "shocked and saddened by the events".

Speaking at the start of the programme, the presenters commented: “This is difficult for us. We're talking about a friend here. We are shocked and saddened by the events involving Ant McPartlin over the weekend.

“We want to wish those shaken by the crash all the best. Ant has now gone back into rehab.”

McPartlin was charged by postal requisition on March 21 after allegedly being involved in a collision with two other cars while he was driving his Mini in Richmond, west London, on March 18.

The TV presenter was due to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court on April 4, but the hearing was adjourned to April 16, a spokeswoman for the court said.

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