ITV bosses are said to be 'locked in crisis talks' after Saturday Night Takeaway presenter Ant McPartlin was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving yesterday.
The 42-year-old has been released under investigation by police after his arrest over a collision in south-west London at 4pm on Sunday.
According to The Mirror, ITV chiefs this afternoon held talks over the future of their troubled presenter, who entered rehab last year over an addiction to prescription drugs.
As well hosting Saturday Night Takeaway – which is due to air this weekend – Ant presents both I'm A Celebrity and Britain's Got Talent alongside best friend Declan Donnelly.
Speaking earlier today on her ITV daytime chat show, fellow presenter Lorraine Kelly suggested that Ant will be back on our TV screens at the weekend.
"Poor guy, he will be there on Saturday night, a lot of people are speculating he won't be there for Saturday Night Takeaway. He will," she said.
Ant McPartlin arrested on suspicion of drink-driving after crashing his car 3 year old injured.Ffs call a cab you have the money same as Rooney and many other celebrities pic.twitter.com/7YIrSiR2F4
— Steve (@Stdomingo78) March 18, 2018
"I don't see, unless there's more to it than we all think... I'd be very surprised, he's such a worker."
As of this afternoon, neither ITV nor Ant's representatives have released an official statement.
Speaking about yesterday's incident, a Met police spokesman said: "Police in Richmond were called to Lower Richmond Road, SW14 at 15:59hrs on Sunday, 18 March following reports of a road traffic collision involving three vehicles.
"Officers, London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade attended. A number of individuals were treated at the scene for minor injuries only. A child passenger from one of the cars was taken to hospital for a check up as a precaution.
"A 42-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drink-driving after failing a roadside breathalyser test. He has been taken to a south London police station for questioning. Enquiries continue."
McPartlin still has 18 months left on his three-year, £30million 'golden handcuffs' deal with ITV – and had been scheduled to work on the three remaining episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway, April's Britain's Got Talent and November's I'm A Celebrity.
Last June, the Newcastle native checked himself into rehab after revealing that he had been battling a prescription drug addiction.
McPartlin later claimed the addiction was the result of a botched knee operation the year before.
