Declan Donnelly has revealed that he considered parting ways with TV partner Ant McPartlin, following his drink-drive conviction last year.
Ant, 42, was found to be twice over the legal limit when he smashed into two cars - that contained children as passengers - in West London last year.
Dec has now admitted he thought his best friend's actions were 'indefensible' and even weighed up the idea of splitting with Ant after more than 30 years of working together.
In an interview with Guardian Weekend magazine, to be published this Saturday, Dec said that he ultimately decided to stick by Ant to see him return to his 'healthy and happy self.'
While Ant admitted: "For the first time in many years, all we talked about were deep things like how we felt, and what the future held, and where we were, and all the chaos that has come along, especially for me."
Just days after his arrest last March Ant checked himself into rehab to receive treatment for alcohol, addiction and mental health issues. He was later fined a record £86,000 and banned from driving for 20 months.
Recalling Dec's reaction the first time they spoke after the crash, Ant said: "He’s angry, of course he’s angry.
"But it's justified and I understand."
Next month Ant and Dec will be reunited on TV for the first time in almost a year with the return of Britain's Got Talent.
Despite Ant's ten month hiatus, the pair were awarded with the prestigious Best Presenters gong at the National Television Awards in January.
It came after Ant withdrew from last year's BGT live shows and his hosting slot on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, where he was replaced by Holly Willoughby.
Speaking at the TV Awards, Ant said being honoured 'really means a lot' after his 'tough year.'
