Ant & dec return ‘closer than ever’ for britain’s got talent auditions

But before walking out on stage to a rapturous welcome from thousands of fans he made a point of telling Dec that he could not have come back without his love and support. A show source

said: "It's been a difficult year for them but Ant wanted to let Dec know just how much of a friend he has been and how much his loyalty has meant. "They are the best of

friends, and always will be, but he has been a source of strength. They are closer now than they have ever been." The Geordie duo made their public return as filming kicked off with

auditions at a sold-out London Palladium. Ant, 43, walked away from his TV commitments in March after admitting drink-driving, leaving Dec to front the _BGT_ shows alone. He also missed the

recent series of I'm A Celebrity. McPartlin was held after the Mini he was driving with his mother in the passenger seat smashed into two vehicles in west London. Speaking at the

weekend he said: "When it happened, my first thought wasn't, 'Oh my God, my career's going down the spiral.' "My first thought was, '**** is my Mam okay?

Are the dogs okay? Are the fellow passengers in the other cars okay? What happened here?'" As he sat alone in a cell he revealed: "I was thinking, 'How has it ended up

like this? Something needs to change. My life needs to change'." For the show, Ant and Dec rolled in by cart clutching cups of tea and judge Amanda Holden looked stunning in a

mustard yellow dress. Ant and Dec are in line to win an 18th consecutive Best Presenter gong at the TV awards tomorrow.  EX-WIFE LISA ARMSTRONG ‘HAD WORST OF ANT’ Ant McPartlin's

ex-wife Lisa Armstrong showed her hurt yesterday over his comments that his life was far better now that she was no longer in it. The make-up artist liked tweets from well-wishers which

branded him "disrespectful" for his remarks in a Sunday newspaper that she had been "everywhere" since their break-up. One said: "At least you're not the one

selling an exclusive interview to a newspaper for few bob." Another post liked by Lisa, 42, read: "I'm so uncomfortable with the whole gushing of Ant's new found love who

has 'saved him'. OK fine - but so disrespectful of Lisa Armstrong who has had to put up with the worst of Ant for so many years." McPartlin, who was with childhood sweetheart

Lisa for 23 years, said: "We don't speak. We haven't for a while." But claimed she had been "everywhere" - in reference to a handful of social media posts.

"She can live her life how she wants to live her life and say what she wants," he added.