The host, who is recovering "well" after his return to rehab for treatment for an addiction to prescription drugs, spoke out on Twitter on Thursday, with it confirmed Ant would not be hosting I'm A Celebrity 2018 while the show would still go ahead.
Tweeting his 6.69 million followers, he said: "Thank you for all the messages of support. Ax."
He said: "Whilst I am obviously sad at the thought of being without my best friend in Australia this year, I am proud of the work Ant has been doing privately and I am fully supportive of his decision.
“I’m looking forward to us both being reunited on screen in 2019.”
Ant has vowed to return to the show next year, while he will remain off TV for the rest of this year.
This means production for Saturday Night Takeaway will not go ahead, and the show will not air next year.
Ant said in a statement: “My recovery is going very well and for that to continue having spoken to Dec and ITV, I have made the decision to take the rest of the year off.
“I’d like to thank both Dec and ITV for their continued support and I look forward to getting back to work in the new year.”
Ant added: “I’m looking forward to us both being reunited on screen in 2019.”
A statement from ITV confirmed Saturday Night Takeaway would be back in 2020, while Ant would be hosting I'm A Celebrity 2019.
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