The Sun exclusively revealed the TV host will be back to film the ITV show's audition stages next month
STEPHEN Mulhern confirmed Ant McPartlin is "doing well" as he praised his return to Britain's Got Talent on today's Good Morning Britain.
The TV presenter - who hosts BGT's spin-off show - gushed it would be "nice to have the family back together" for next year's show after Ant's year out from showbiz.
Probed on the host's return by Piers Morgan, Stephen said: "I think it's great. I think it's brilliant. Look, he's apparently doing very well.
"It'll be nice to have all the family back together. It's all good. It's all back on track and it's all lovely."
Ant announced he would be taking the rest of the year out in August following his arrest for drink-driving, a stint in rehab and his divorce from long-time wife Lisa Armstrong.
It was announced weeks later that Holly Willoughby had been drafted in by I'm A Celebrity bosses to stand in as Declan Donnelly's co-host for the first time in the show's 16-year history.
Asked how he felt Holly had done as Ant's replacement, Stephen responded: "I think she's kept his seat very warm. I think she's done an incredible job."
But the Catchphrase host made no secret of the fact Piers' questions made him feel awkward.
He said: "I knew you would go down this avenue. As soon as they told me it was Piers."
The straight-talking Life Stories star then hit back: "This is journalism. You thought you could have this fluffy little promo."
The Sun exclusively revealed Ant's return to the spotlight over the weekend, with a source close to the star telling us: "Ant has completed his recovery and ITV has decided he is ready to be back at work for Britain’s Got Talent filming, which starts next month.
"It’s been an incredible difficult two-year period but he has been entirely focused on turning his life around in order to return to work.
"ITV is very excited about Ant and Dec being reunited – but Ant’s recovery has been everyone’s first priority."
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