Ant McPartlin, 49, opens up about his 'life-changing' diagnosis and admits it 'completely made sense' after years of struggles

By: dailymail Posted On: November 19, 2024 View: 97

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Published: 03:16 EST, 19 November 2024 | Updated: 06:06 EST, 19 November 2024

Ant McPartlin previously opened up about being diagnosed with ADHD when he was 43, admitting it 'completely made sense' after years of struggles.

The presenter, 49, had shared in a 2019 interview that he received the diagnosis after being 'thoroughly examined.'

Ant, who is currently hosting the new series of I'm A Celeb with Declan Donnelly, told The Sun at the time: '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.'

Ant also shared his support for those 'struggling' with ADHD too, while sharing how it has unknowingly impacted his career and personal life.

He added: '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.'

Ant McPartlin previously opened up about being diagnosed with ADHD when he was 43, admitting it 'completely made sense' after years of struggles

Ant received his ADHD diagnosis after he was arrested for drink-driving in 2018, and he said the condition is strongly linked to alcohol dependency.

He is not the only star to go public with their ADHD diagnosis in recent years as I'm A Celeb winner Sam Thompson, Lily Allen, Sheridan Smith and Katie Price have all also opened up about struggling with the condition.

During Monday's I'm A Celeb, Ant and Dec paid tribute to Tulisa's iconic girl boss tattoo while GK Barry tackled the latest Bushtucker Trial.

Back in 2011, Tulisa would hold up her forearm during the opening minutes of the X Factor to proudly show off her 'Female Boss' tattoo.

And during the first Bushtucker Trial, the Geordie duo referred back to the iconic inking as they motivated GK Barry as she screamed while covered in critters.

GK had just 10 minutes to make her way inside the volcano of caves and tunnels where she had to search in to find hidden stars.

Of course the TikTok star was joined by plenty of jungle critters but as she started the trial, Ant and Dec were on hand to offer plenty of motivational quotes such as: 'What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.'

Faced with snakes, spiders, rats and plenty of creepy crawlies, GK made her way through with plenty of screaming and swearing. So much so, Ant and Dec declared: 'We're going to need to bleep a lot of this!'

The presenter had shared in a 2019 interview that he received the diagnosis after being 'thoroughly examined'

WHAT IS ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioural condition defined by inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

It affects around five per cent of children in the US. Some 3.6 per cent of boys and 0.85 per cent of girls suffer in the UK.

Symptoms typically appear at an early age and become more noticeable as a child grows. These can also include:

Constant fidgeting
Poor concentration
Excessive movement or talking
Acting without thinking
Inability to deal with stress
Little or no sense of danger
Careless mistakes
Mood swings
Forgetfulness
Difficulty organising tasks
Continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones
Inability to listen or carry out instructions

Most cases are diagnosed between six and 12 years old. Adults can also suffer, but there is less research into this.

ADHD's exact cause is unclear but is thought to involve genetic mutations that affect a person's brain function and structure.

Premature babies and those with epilepsy or brain damage are more at risk.

ADHD is also linked to anxiety, depression, insomnia, Tourette's and epilepsy.

There is no cure.

A combination of medication and therapy is usually recommended to relieve symptoms and make day-to-day life easier.

Source: NHS Choices

During Monday's I'm A Celeb, Ant and Dec paid tribute to Tulisa 's iconic girl boss tattoo while GK Barry tackled the latest Bushtucker Trial

GK replied questioning, 'What would Tulisa do?' if she was in her situation covered in critters.

Prompting Ant to hold his forearm in her iconic pose and reply, 'she would by like a female boss'.

Completing the Bushtucker Trial, GK managed to collect an impressive 9 out of 10 stars for camp.

It isn't the first time this series, Tulisa has showed off her iconic 'Female Boss' tattoo as she held up her arm minutes into Sunday night's first episode.

In the opening credits at the start of the show, glamorous Tulisa proudly stuck her arm up.

The tattoo hit the headlines back in 2011 when then X Factor judge Tulisa was accused of illegally promoting her perfume of the same name when she struck a pose to display her forearm at the start of the show.

Offering insight into the tattoo's meaning she told The Mirror at the time: 'I was showing off my tattoo long before The X Factor. It's always been my trademark and it's always been my nickname'.

I'M A CELEBRITY 2024: MEET THE ALL STAR LINE UP

OTI MABUSE

AGE: 34

OCCUPATION: Professional dancer

FAMOUS FOR: Oti is best known for being a professional dancer on the British television series Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2019 and 2020.

DANNY JONES

AGE: 38

OCCUPATION: McFly singer

FAMOUS FOR: Danny is one of the lead vocalists and the lead guitarist for pop-rock band McFly.

He is also a coach on The Voice UK.

BARRY MCGUIGAN

AGE: 63

OCCUPATION: Retired professional boxer

FAMOUS FOR: Barry was nicknamed The Clones Cyclone and held the WBA and lineal featherweight titles from 1985 to 1986.

GK BARRY

AGE: 25

OCCUPATION: TikTok star

FAMOUS FOR: Grace is known for her comedic commentary on culture, lifestyle, and fashion. She has over 3.6 million followers and recently joined the Loose Women panel.

DEAN MCCULLOUGH

AGE: 32

OCCUPATION: Radio 1 DJ

FAMOUS FOR: Radio 1 DJ Dean has been signed by I'm A Celeb bosses, in the hope that he will ruffle feathers with his outspoken views.

Earlier this year it was announced Dean would be taking over the BBC Radio 1 Early Breakfast Show, after previously fronting the afternoon slot.

JANE MOORE

Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women

AGE: 62

OCCUPATION: Journalist

FAMOUS FOR: Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women between 1999 and 2002.

She returned as a regular panellist from 2013 onwards.

Jane takes on the challenge following her high-profile split from husband of 20 years, Showbiz agent, Gary Farrow.

MELVIN ODOOM

Melvin was previously courted by I'm A Celeb bosses back in 2021

AGE: 44

OCCUPATION: DJ and TV presenter

FAMOUS FOR: His work on radio. Melvin was previously courted by I'm A Celeb bosses back in 2021, but turned down the offer at the last minute.

He also had a primetime stint on Strictly back in 2016.

COLEEN ROONEY

Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show's history

AGE: 38

OCCUPATION: WAG

FAMOUS FOR: Wagatha Christie case against arch rival Rebekah Vardy.

Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show's history, exceeding Nigel Farage's £1.5million from last year.

ALAN HALSALL

AGE: 42

OCCUPATION: Actor

FAMOUS FOR: Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall was forced to withdraw from I'm A Celeb last year, after undergoing ACL Reconstruction surgery.

Bosses have now convinced the actor to sign up again, and no doubt he will draw in a huge fanbase thanks to his long-running role as Tyrone Dobbs on the soap.

TULISA