NORTH-EAST television presenter Ant McPartlin is expected to be host I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here this year, the ITV’s director of television has said.

The star recently revealed he nearly died as he battled depression, alcohol and substance abuse.

McPartlin – one half of much-loved duo Ant and Dec – entered rehab in June after struggling with a two-year addiction to super-strength painkillers following a knee operation in 2015.

ITV boss Kevin Lygo told the Edinburgh International TV Festival: “Ant is doing really well and we are expecting him to return for I’m a Celebrity.”

He added that sustaining the channel’s biggest hits, including I’m A Celebrity, The X Factor and The Voice, as well as the soaps and daytime offerings, were crucial to its future.