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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Will Twigger

Ant McPartlin's dramatically different birthday in Wales as he celebrates turning 45

Ant McPartlin turns 45 today, marking it, as he does every year, during the new series of I'm A Celebrity.

But this year his celebrations will be dramatically different amid a brand new setting for the show, and lockdown keeping him out of any restaurants.

First of all, the show's been forced to shift to Wales after the usual Australian jungle became an impossibility because of Covid-19.

And Ant won't be able to hit the town to raise a non-alcoholic toast either, as lockdown 2.0 keeps bars and restaurants closed.

So it's not a stretch to imagine Ant, Dec and the I'm A Celeb crew are celebrating within the walls of the enormous castle - not too shabby!

The show has shifted to Wales from the usual Australian setting (Internet Unknown)

Ant and best mate Dec have been spied in years past downing drinks in celebration in Australian bars.

But Ant's ditched the booze and adopted a clean-living lifestyle, meaning a celebratory glass of bubbly is off the table for him.

Back in 2018, Ant was forced to miss a number of hosting gigs, including I'm A Celeb, as he sought help in rehab following his drink-driving conviction.

Gone is the Australian jungle for 2020 (Instagram)
Ant returned to I'm A Celeb hosting duties last year (Internet Unknown)

Holly Willoughby had dutifully stepped in for Ant during the 2018 series, proving a hit with fans.

Ant was charged and fined £86,000 - at the time, the largest drink-driving fine in UK history.

He'd undergone treatment in 2017, and again in 2018 following his arrest.

Holly stepped in for Ant in 2018 (Supplied by WENN)
Ant checked himself into rehab following his drink drive arrest (PA)

Ant checked himself in within days of his arrest to receive treatment for alcohol, addiction and mental health issues.

And last year Ant celebrated his return to a string of small screen gigs, including Saturday Night Takeaway, Britain's Got Talent and, of course, I'm A Celeb.

Since his second rehab stint, Ant's gone sober and has embraced his new wholesome lifestyle.

They've been loving the new series so far (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

And his new way of life extends to his birthday celebrations, as he swigged a non-alcoholic bev during his bash Down Under last year.

Ant and Dec took a break from filming to toast the former's 44th, joined by Ant's partner Anne-Marie Corbett at the Aussie bar.

Ant and Dec have been professional partners across three decades, their new book, Once Upon A Tyne, shedding light on the strain Ant's drink-driving conviction put on their relationship.

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