Ant Mcpartlin's TV return

Ant McPartlin made his much-anticipated return to TV screens on the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! launch on Sunday night.

The presenter, 42, looked healthier and happier than ever and showed off a deep bronzed tan from his time in Australia, as he confidently fronted the first episode with his co-host Declan Donnelly.

Addressing his recent stint in rehab however, Dec opened the show by playfully joking he was planning to replace Ant with Holly Willoughby - quipping: 'No one was sure if you would make it or not!'

Beaming widely for cameras and walking to their famous perch in the jungle for the first time this series, Ant proved he was back to his best - after a summer battling drink and drug addictions.

In the duo's usual witty style however, Dec immediately opened the show by joking about his friend's much-anticipated return.

He said to viewers: 'I'm here with the gorgeous Holly Willoughby...' before adding in mock horror: 'Wait, no! Guys that's the wrong script! You've put the wrong script in!'

Turning to Ant, who was stood in mock outrage, Dec continued the joke by stating, in reference to his pal's rehab stint: 'No one was sure if you would make it or not!'

Confirming to fans he was better than ever however, the famous Geordie assured: 'I was always going to make it, come on.'

He then added excitedly: 'I'm back my friend!', before the pair sweetly hugged, to the applause of the production crew. 

The sweet moment went down a storm with fans - who immediately took to Twitter to compliment Ant on his healthy appearance. 

This article was first published on dailymail.co.uk and is republished here with permission.