Birthday boy Ant McPartlin is locked in tense chat with best pal Declan Donnelly as they board helicopter ahead of his I'm A Celeb comeback

By Ciara Farmer For Mailonline

Published: 11:54 EST, 18 November 2017 | Updated: 03:17 EST, 19 November 2017

He has suffered a tough year yet has come out on top with a triumphant return to work on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here. 

And while Ant McPartlin was ringing in his comeback atop his 42nd birthday on Saturday, he seemed slightly tense as he appeared engrossed in an animated chat with best pal Declan Donnelly while boarding a helicopter. 

While surrounded by stars of the show, including Georgia Toffolo, Amir Khan and Vanessa White, the embattled star was deep in conversation with his sidekick, just hours after celebrating his birthday with a cake.  

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Ringing it in: Ant McPartlin was ringing in his comeback atop his 42nd birthday on Saturday, he seemed slightly tense as he appeared engrossed in an animated chat with best pal Declan Donnelly while boarding a helicopter

Ringing it in: Ant McPartlin was ringing in his comeback atop his 42nd birthday on Saturday, he seemed slightly tense as he appeared engrossed in an animated chat with best pal Declan Donnelly while boarding a helicopter

Contorted: While surrounded by stars of the show, including Georgia Toffolo, Amir Khan and Vanessa White, the embattled star was deep in conversation with his sidekick, just hours after celebrating his birthday with a cake

Contorted: While surrounded by stars of the show, including Georgia Toffolo, Amir Khan and Vanessa White, the embattled star was deep in conversation with his sidekick, just hours after celebrating his birthday with a cake

Ant, has proudly been displaying his wedding ring in the outback amid speculation about his marriage to wife Lisa Armstrong, and looked back to his best in the show's promotional snaps as he made his triumphant return to screens following his break. 

He had sought treatment at a rehab clinic, after revealing his battle to overcome his addiction to painkillers following a knee injury. After successfully completing his rehab stint, Ant found himself hit by claims his marriage is 'on the rocks'. 

As he throws himself into work, Ant was looking happy and healthy although during one chat he appeared extremely animated while talking to Dec.

While boarding the helicopter, he looked extremely serious although later in the day he was having a giggle with the stars of the show.   

In depth: While boarding the helicopter, he looked extremely serious although later in the day he was having a giggle with the stars of the show

In depth: While boarding the helicopter, he looked extremely serious although later in the day he was having a giggle with the stars of the show

Time to shine: The duo are prepping for the return of the show and also Ant's return to work 

Time to shine: The duo are prepping for the return of the show and also Ant's return to work 

Huh? The star looked serious despite being with his best pal for his birthday 

Huh? The star looked serious despite being with his best pal for his birthday 

Pooped! Ant headed into the building with a large yawn shortly before Dec followed on 

Come fly with me: His animated expressions were potentially the result of the billowing wind and noise surrounding him

Come fly with me: His animated expressions were potentially the result of the billowing wind and noise surrounding him

Off we go! The duo were seen heading into the helicopter in the midst of filming

Off we go! The duo were seen heading into the helicopter in the midst of filming

Strutting their stuff: The group looked serious as they headed off the helipad

Strutting their stuff: The group looked serious as they headed off the helipad

Here we go: Jennie McAlpine and Jamie Lomas were among the stars seen heading for the helipad

Here we go: Jennie McAlpine and Jamie Lomas were among the stars seen heading for the helipad

The stars looked focused ahead of their drop into the jungle with Georgia Toffolo putting on a leggy display in a glittering red and gold minidress.

Vanessa White also had her pins on full display in a tiny purple lace playsuit while Jennie McAlpine covered up in a chic navy jumpsuit.

Rebekah Vardy stood out in a neon yellow dress while Shappi Khorsandi radiated glamour in a fitted red dress. 

Anticipation: Georgia Toffolo showed off her pins in a red minidress as she joined Jack Maynard, Vanessa White and Amir Khan

Anticipation: Georgia Toffolo showed off her pins in a red minidress as she joined Jack Maynard, Vanessa White and Amir Khan

Ready; The group were all wearing hiking boots in anticipation of entering the jungle

Ready; The group were all wearing hiking boots in anticipation of entering the jungle

Ant was ready to celebrate his 42nd birthday in style as he joined his colleagues and I'm A Celebrity co-host Dec in the Australian outback.

Taking to their joint Twitter account to reveal how he was spending the day, the Geordie presenter wrote: 'G’day! Thank you for all my Aussie birthday best wishes. You lot are Bonza! A'.

He also shared a picture of the birthday cake that had been given to him by the crew which bore a sweet picture of his pet dog.

Lift off: The celebrity crew looked focused as they prepared to board the helicopter

Lift off: The celebrity crew looked focused as they prepared to board the helicopter

New friendship: Georgia and Jack chatted as they made their way to the waiting helicopter

New friendship: Georgia and Jack chatted as they made their way to the waiting helicopter

Windy: Georgia held down her skirt as she battled the windy weather before boarding the helicopter

Windy: Georgia held down her skirt as she battled the windy weather before boarding the helicopter

Leggy: Georgia put on a leggy display in her skimpy minidress while she waited to board

Loving it: Vanessa couldn't keep the smile off her face as she joined Amir in the front

Loving it: Vanessa couldn't keep the smile off her face as she joined Amir in the front

Celeb studded: Stanley Johnson, Shappi Khorsandi and Rebekah Vardy joined the group

Celeb studded: Stanley Johnson, Shappi Khorsandi and Rebekah Vardy joined the group

Waxing lyrical: Stanley enjoyed a chat with the group which also included Dennis Wise

Waxing lyrical: Stanley enjoyed a chat with the group which also included Dennis Wise

Chatty: Jack and Georgia looked in good spirits as they enjoyed a quick chat 

Chatty: Jack and Georgia looked in good spirits as they enjoyed a quick chat 

Here we go: Amir looked muscular in his fitted shirt while Vanessa showed off her toned pins in a purple playsuit as the group walked

Here we go: Amir looked muscular in his fitted shirt while Vanessa showed off her toned pins in a purple playsuit as the group walked

Laugh out loud: Vanessa laughed out loud at one of Amir's jokes as the group walked along

Laugh out loud: Vanessa laughed out loud at one of Amir's jokes as the group walked along

Birthday boy: Ant celebrated his 42nd birthday in style on Saturday, but insiders say it was an early night

Birthday boy: Ant was ready to celebrate his 42nd birthday in style as he joined his colleagues and I'm A Celebrity co-host Dec in the Australian outback

Kind words: Taking to their joint Twitter account to reveal how he was spending the day, the Geordie presenter thanked his fans for all their sweet messages 

Kind words: Taking to their joint Twitter account to reveal how he was spending the day, the Geordie presenter thanked his fans for all their sweet messages 

Despite it being the star's birthday, there will have been no celebrating into the early hours as he has to wake up early for the presenting gig. 

An insider told MailOnline: 'They are in bed by 5pm, so there's no partying. They have to be up at 2am for work. A little golf in the afternoon is sometimes on the cards but they mostly chill in their apartment and by the pool... 

'It's Ant's birthday but he is going to be working. It's the first day for the celebs; they meet each other for the first time in the morning.'   

Loving life: Ant seemed in great spirits as he celebrated his 42nd birthday in style 

Loving life: Ant seemed in great spirits as he celebrated his 42nd birthday in style 

Yum: Ant  shared a picture of the birthday cake that had been given to him by the crew which bore a sweet picture of his pet dog

Yum: Ant  also shared a picture of the birthday cake that had been given to him by the crew which bore a sweet picture of his pet dog

A source added to Mirror Online: 'Ant was saying how great it was to be back in Australia and working on the show.

'It seemed like it could have been any other year, having his best friend by his side must have really helped him get straight back into the groove.

'It is likely to be a quiet drink and dinner, no major party that is for sure. They could even end up settling for a Saturday Night Takeaway if filming overruns.' 

Reunited: As he touched down in Australia, Ant revealed he was bursting with excitement to be back on the small screen. The embattled star admitted he was 'feeling great' after reuniting with Dec 

Reunited: As he touched down in Australia, Ant revealed he was bursting with excitement to be back on the small screen. The embattled star admitted he was 'feeling great' after reuniting with Dec 

On the up: Determined to put on a 'good show', the television host revealed he had bounced back following his stint in rehab to battle his alcohol and drug addiction 

On the up: Determined to put on a 'good show', the television host revealed he had bounced back following his stint in rehab to battle his alcohol and drug addiction 

Back to his best: Ant has proudly been displaying his wedding ring in the outback amid speculation about his marriage to wife Lisa Armstrong, and looks back to his best

Back to his best: Ant has proudly been displaying his wedding ring in the outback amid speculation about his marriage to wife Lisa Armstrong, and looks back to his best

As he touched down in Australia, Ant revealed he was bursting with excitement to be back on the small screen. The embattled star admitted he was 'feeling great' after reuniting with Dec.

Determined to put on a 'good show', the television host revealed he had bounced back following his stint in rehab to battle his alcohol and drug addiction.

He told The Sun: 'I’m excited to be back, I can’t wait. It’s going to be a good show. I’m feeling great. The flight was all right, I had a lot of sleep and me and Dec had a good catch-up.'

Sharing his excitement at being back with his BFF Ant, Dec said: 'It’s brilliant to be back together – it’s perfect. Everything slots back into place. We can’t wait and we are raring to go.'

In June, Ant had confirmed he planned to battle his demons- after admitting he had spiralled into depression and substance abuse following a painful knee injury and fertility issues.

Ready for action: The celebrities set to join the jungle were also posing for snaps ahead of their entry to the jungle - including (L-R) Jamie Lomas, Georgia Toffolo, Rebekah Vardy, Vanessa White and Stanley Johnson

Ready for action: The celebrities set to join the jungle were also posing for snaps ahead of their entry to the jungle - including (L-R) Jamie Lomas, Georgia Toffolo, Rebekah Vardy, Vanessa White and Stanley Johnson

Ant revealed his plans to check in to rehab for alcohol and drug addiction, when he gave a candid interview to The Sun admitting he had 'let people down', before thanking his wife Lisa and co-star Declan for the support they had provided.  

While he hasn't been joined by wife Lisa out in Oz, due to her working commitments on Strictly Come Dancing as a make-up artist, she made sure to hit back at the speculation, breaking her silence on the duo's rumoured 'marriage woes'.

Lisa had hit back at the long-running reports that the duo have separated by taking to Twitter, as she penned on the microblogging site: 'I'm not estranged, thank you'.

Her defiant message also touched on her absence in Australia, as she added the hashtags: '#haventbeentoOzfor10years #ihaveajob #allaloadofmadeups**t #imnotestrangedthank-you #asyouwere'. 

The celebrities set to join the jungle were also posing for snaps ahead of their entry to the jungle - including Georgia Toffolo, Amir Khan and Rebekah Vardy.  

Off we go! (L-R) Dennis Wise, Shappi Khorsandi, Amir Khan, Jennie McAlpine and Jack Maynard will also appear in the jungle as this year's crop of stars

Off we go! (L-R) Dennis Wise, Shappi Khorsandi, Amir Khan, Jennie McAlpine and Jack Maynard will also appear in the jungle as this year's crop of stars