Simon Cowell has backed BGT presenter Ant McPartlin to make a full recovery as the star receives treatment for alcohol and substance abuse and depression.
Simon Cowell has backed Ant McPartlin to make a full recovery as the star receives treatment for depression, as well as alcohol and substance abuse.
Cowell – who has worked with McPartlin for 16 years – told The Sun: “All I can tell you about Ant is he’s one of the most genuine people you’ll ever meet.
“He hasn’t changed in all the years I’ve known him.
“I don’t know details behind the scenes, but when someone has the courage to own it, deal with it, made a public statement, we would a million per cent support him. I think he’ll be fine.”
The music mogul added: “He’s got great people around him and also he’s got a great family around him. Dec’s his best friend.
“We made it clear we would always stand by them.”
Despite the pair’s close working relationship on Britain’s Got Talent, Cowell said he “never” knew about McPartlin’s struggles.
He said: “I mean, look, I have worked in entertainment for a long long time and I’ve seen what happens with pressure. I’m not making excuses here.”
Cowell also told the newspaper it was “100 per cent” feasible that Zayn Malik could return if One Direction ever decided to reform.
He said: “You know, it’s fun being out there on your own, but what I hope is going to happen is that they remember now how much fun it was being in a group.
“I always believe that you don’t make rules, you break the rules. So there’s nothing to stop them – if they want to – getting together for a tour, for an album.
“I made it absolutely clear, obviously, ‘We’re in’, Cowell added.
