Who is Christine Woodhall? Ant McPartlin’s mum who was with him when he got arrested for drink-driving
CHRISTINE Woodhall is the mother of TV presenter Ant McPartlin, and has been his rock through the star's recent struggles.
But, what do we know about her, and was she with Ant when he was arrested for drink-driving? Let's get the lowdown...
Who is Ant McPartlin's mum Christine Woodhall?
Christine is from Fenham in Newcastle.
She raised Ant as a single mum.
His dad, Ray, walked out on the family when Ant was a ten-year-old schoolboy.
She also has a daughter, Sarah.
Was Christine with Ant when he was arrested?
Christine was in the car when Ant was arrested for drink-driving.
An eyewitness to the crash, Amy Cassie, 23, said: “Ant seemed furious after crashing the car and was shouting at his mum who was also in the car. She was trying to get him to calm down.
“The police took him to the back of the police car to remove him from the situation.
“The couple in the green Mini were really shaken up and their child, who was a girl, could only have been about three years old.
“Ant and his mum didn’t seem to have any injuries, but the mum in the green car had split her lip and the side of her face was very red."
Did Christine know Ant had been drinking?
During Ant's appearance in court on April 16th, 2018, the judge heard that Christine - who's also his sober coach - didn't know her son was drunk as he tried to drive them home from taking his dogs for a walk last month.
Liam Walker, defending, told the court it was a "a brief relapse unbeknownst to his passenger".
The crash was a blow to McPartlin's career, with the troubled star fined £86,000 and banned from the road for 20-months as punishment for the reckless crash.
In sentencing, District Judge Barbara Barnes told McPartlin: "At the time when it happened you were struggling with various personal problems and also alcohol issues for some months.
"This incident happened, sadly, when it seems you suffered a brief relapse."
More on Ant and Dec
Does Ant live with his mum?
Christine has also been pictured leaving her troubled son's home following his alleged drink-drive arrest.
Ant, who has spoke of his struggle with painkillers and booze during his recovery from knee surgery, was reported to have allowed his mum to move into his home last year.
He hoped it would help aid his recovery.
When Christine moved in with Ant at his £2million mansion in Chiswick, London, Ant told The Sun: "She’s happy to have me back.
"People do notice the difference in you when you’re down and depressed. She noticed it. She said she’s really happy to have her old son back, which is nice to hear."
Following the incident, it was decided that Ant would not appear on TV for the forseeable future as he begins an addiction recovery programme.
On March 20, 2018 The Sun revealed how Ant is only allowed his mum Christine Woodhall and co-host Declan Donnelly to visit him.