Simon Cowell’s Britain’s Got Talent co-star Ant McPartlin is the “happiest” the music mogul has seen him “for a long, long time.”
Speaking about McPartlin’s TV comeback ahead of the new season of the ITV talent show, Cowell said that it was almost as if the star’s break from the spotlight “never happened.”
“It’s like it never happened,” he told Dan Wootton on an interview aired on Lorraine this morning.
“That’s when you know it’s comfortable because it’s like we are all back together again, we are friends.”
Alluding to McPartlin’s stint in rehab, Cowell added: “These things happened and I really did miss him.
“It’s the happiest I’ve seen him for a long, long time.”
The presenter is set to return to Britain’s Got Talent alongside Declan Donnelly on Saturday night, having missed last year’s round of live shows to focus on his recovery.
The 43-year-old took a step back from his presenting commitments last year following a drink driving incident and a stint in rehab.
Earlier this week, Cowell’s fellow judge David Walliams said that it was “emotional” to see McPartlin and Donnelly back in action.
“It was lovely to see when they stepped back on stage together in London. How excited people were to see them together,” he said.
“It was really emotional and I was pleased for them. It was just how it always was.”
McPartlin reportedly fought back tears when he returned to the talent show back in January for the London auditions, telling the audience: “Oh god, I’m really, really emotional now.
“I’ve missed you all. As for you [Dec], I’ve missed you! Thank you for a very lovely welcome.
“What a great show to come back to, I’m thrilled. I’m over the moon. Shall we move on before I cry?”
The double act have fronted Britain’s Got Talent since its debut in 2007.
The new series of Britain’s Got Talent begins on ITV, April 6 at 7.15pm
