Declan Donnelly says his relationship with comedy partner Ant McPartlin was tested to the limit during his time in rehab.
In a new documentary, Ant and Dec's DNA Journey, which sees the pair trace their family history, the I'm A Celeb... star opened up about his troubled friendship with his best mate.
Filming for the mini-series began in 2017 but was halted after a drink driving conviction saw Ant admitted to rehab.
Advert
During his heartbreaking admission, Dec said he was 'disappointed' that his mate never came to him to ask for help.
The 44-year-old said: "It's been a tough couple of years, it's really tested the bond we've shared since we were 13 years old.
"I was incredibly angry at the start, so angry and disappointed in him that he didn't ever come to me and say I'm struggling, I need you because I thought if the shoe was on the other foot I would have gone to him, said 'I'm in trouble', and he never came to me and that hurt me a lot."
Ant, 43, added: "The last few years have been quite emotional, hard. They've been testing, I would say - how strong your love is, friendship is."
Advert
He then went on: "I knew he was angry and understandably so because my action not only affected home but him.
"There was a point where I thought that was it. There were times I wasn't sure it was gonna survive, times that you didn't know it needed to survive, you wanted it to survive.
"Focusing on me and repairing relationships and being a better person; working out what was important."
Moving onto discussing their career, Dec said he just had to make sure that his pal was ok.
He went on: "The thought of that filled me with absolute fear. Ultimately you feel all those emotions and get to put where you go... all those feelings are bit selfish about what he was going through, how bad he must have felt to be in that situation - that's when I got really sad and felt sympathetic towards him.
Advert
"He must have been so unhappy and that's where the care and compassion you have for that person overrides all those emotions and you want them to get well. More than anything I just wanted him to be happy."
Ant then praised his 'fantastic' mate for being their for him during his darkest time.
He said: "Dec's been fantastic, he's a very kind man who's been supportive of me, and our friendship has been tested and it's come out through the other end and I'll be forever grateful for the love we have.
"I thought the public had had enough, I didn't think I'd be allowed to do what I love anymore, but coming back and being back on-screen and the love and support shown is overwhelming... I can't thank people enough."
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: TV and Film, Celebrity, Interesting, UK Entertainment, Ant and Dec