As Dec walked through his front door,he could hear that Ali was now up,clattering around in the kitchen.He walked in,taking his sunglasses off and laying them on the kitchen counter with a hearty sigh.

"Oh baby,come here" Ali could see how much he'd been crying and it hurt her to the core.

"How is he doing?" She asked while holding her beloved husband in her arms.

"Not good" Dec informed her "he's in a dreadful state,I wish I could take his pain away,he's suffering so much,I just don't know if I'll be able to help him.I'm going to get in touch with lawyers,rehab and work but I want to be there for him emotionally,that's more important than anything.I can't bear to see him like this,he's a good person with a beautiful heart and he doesn't deserve any of this"

"Hey" Ali said softly "I know he doesn't,I love him too remember?and between us and all the people who love him,we'll get him through this"

"I know we will" Dec smiled,kissing her gently "I need to make some phone calls"

"Love you" Ali called out as she made her way out of the kitchen to give Dec some peace to make the calls "Ant is lucky to have you"

Dec smiled again "I love you too,I'm lucky to have him,he's always been there for me since we were kids,now it's my turn,I'm going to take care of him"

Ali didn't doubt that for a minute.She'd never known such a beautiful,loving,touching friendship between two men and she adored them both all the more for it!

Dec spent the next few hours on the phone,determined to make Ants road to recovery go as smoothly as possible.

Once he'd spoken to everyone concerned,he called Ant.

"We've got a meeting with ITV tomorrow at 10am" Dec announced "they're happy to come to your place but please don't worry,I'll do the talking and afterwards you'll be driven straight to rehab,make sure you're packed and ready to go,I love you mate,I know you can get through this"

"I'll be ready" Ant promised "and thank you,thank you so much for looking after me,love you too"

"That's what best friends are for" Dec said "I know you'd do the same for me in a heartbeat if necessary"

"I would,absolutely" Ant assured him "I'm going to get better for you"

"And for you" Dec corrected "for both of us,together forever,partners in crime,always by each others side"

"Definitely,see you in the morning" Ant smiled.

They hung up and Dec was so happy that Ant was thinking and sounding more positive.He had a long,hard battle ahead of him but Dec knew that with the unconditional love and support he would give to Ant,he would come out the other side!

The next morning Dec arrived at Ants house at 9.50,ignoring the paparazzi and their cameras the best he could,although he knew he had to take the bad with the good in their line of work so he resisted the urge to tell them all where to shove their cameras and their intrusive questions!

"How are you feeling?" He asked as Ant opened the door just wide enough for Dec to squeeze through.

"Ok" Ant replied "better than yesterday anyway"

"Good" Dec smiled

They chatted briefly before three executives from ITV also arrived,quickly making their way through the swarms of press.

Ant led them to the large kitchen table,as they all sat down he scanned their faces,trying to read what was going through their minds.Were they angry with him?how could they not be?were they sympathetic to his plight?did they think he was a complete moron?probably all of the above Ant thought to himself.

He smiled at them warmly,he couldn't help feeling guilty,knowing how his actions affected everyone in the room and many others as well.But at least they were smiling at him too,so maybe this meeting wouldn't be as hard as he imagined.

Dec made sure he sat next to Ant should it all become too much for him and he needed comforting.Christine made everyone coffee before making herself scarce to do her packing.She had agreed with Ant that she would return to Newcastle once he'd left for rehab!

One of the executives,Mike,asked Ant how he was feeling,

"I'm ok thanks" Ant replied rather sheepishly "and I'm so sorry for my actions and all the problems I've caused so many people"

"We know you are" Mike replied "we're not here to judge you,we all care about you and just want to do what's best for you to help you recover,you are so loved by everyone at ITV and we all understand that addiction is a cruel,heartless illness and I swear we will do whatever we can to help you"

"Thank you" Ant replied,tears welling up in his eyes,relieved that his employers were being so understanding.

Dec squeezed his hand reassuringly and Ant returned the gesture.

"So that just leaves the work side of things" Mike stated

"Ant needs time to recover" Dec informed them "he'll be leaving for rehab as soon as we're done here,it's all arranged"

"Of course" Paul,the second executive agreed "you take as much time as you need"

"He needs to be released from the contract for the foreseeable future" Dec kept to his promise of doing the talking "whether it takes a month,six months or a year,I don't want him to be rushed or pressured into anything,he's very ill and I'm not willing to risk his health any longer,he deserves the chance to take time out to recover fully and not worry about work"

Everyone around the table agreed

"No work issues will concern you until you're better" Mike told Ant who nodded gratefully.

"So" Paul continued "this weeks Saturday night takeaway has been cancelled,but there are still two more episodes left after that,we propose Dec presents them alone with the usual back up from Stephen and Scarlett,Dec what do you think?are you up for the challenge?"

Dec immediately looked to Ant who knew exactly what he was thinking.He was thinking of the pact they made when they were younger, vowing that one of them would never be out there without the other.

"I'd feel like I was betraying my best friend when he needs me most" he said sadly "I can't kick him when he's down"

Ant quickly spoke up "Dec,you have my blessing to go it alone if you want to,I totally understand,this is all my fault,I'll be gutted that I won't be out there with you but I'm not going to hold it against you,I never would but as the saying goes,the show must go on,hasn't that always been our motto?and we owe it to the audience and winners who are expecting to go to Florida,I can't see all those people miss out because of my selfish actions"

"Ok" Dec reluctantly agreed "but this is only until you get better,I'd never go it alone permanently no matter what todays papers may be insinuating.It will be so strange not having you by my side,I never thought I'd see the day"

"Me neither" Ant added sadly "but I have to face the consequences now and I don't want this to impact on you anymore than it already has,I wish I could be out there with you though,I'll miss it"

"I'll do it for you,I promise" Dec swore "and you're not selfish,you're ill" Dec wouldn't have a word said against Ant even if it came from Ant himself.

The management thought they'd reached the best possible outcome under the circumstances.

"We'll discuss Britain's got talent further down the line" Gemma announced,she'd stayed unusually quiet during the meeting,allowing Mike and Paul to do the fair share of talking,happy to just go along with any suggestions being put forward.

They all hugged Ant and wished him well before they left!

Now work was taken care of,he was ready to go to rehab and face his demons head on.

"How are you feeling about everything now?"Dec asked

"Much better thanks" Ant replied "I'm just so happy they were so nice and understanding,I thought they'd hate me"

Dec smiled at him "have you met you?no one in their right mind could ever hate you,you're too gorgeous and lovely"

Ant grinned and blushed at his friends words

"That's better" Dec stated "so lovely to see that smile again after the last couple of days"

They both now felt optimistic about Ants forthcoming road to recovery,they knew it would be hard but they both felt he had the strength and confidence to be successful this time.

Dec wanted to say goodbye to Ant and wish him well in private before the vultures circling outside attempted to get their talons into him!

He knew Joe,their driver would be there any minute so he pulled Ant into his arms

"I'm going to miss you so much pal,but this is for the best,please just focus on getting better,I can't lose you" Dec clung onto Ant tightly,reluctant to let go,knowing this would be their last hug for who knows how long.

"I will get better,you won't lose me,I promise" Ant assured him

Dec leant back slightly so he could see Ants face

"I forgot to say,you're only allowed contact with two people"

"You and Mam" Ant answered immediately

"I'll call you every single day" Dec smiled

"Promise?" Ant asked

"Of course I promise,as long as they'll let me,I'll need to hear your voice and know you're ok,and you can call me anytime day or night,I'll always be there for you"

They hugged tightly with tears flowing down their cheeks as the doorbell rang.

"That's Joe" Dec announced "let's get this show on the road,the road to recovery,good luck my friend I know you can do this and get well.I love you and will be thinking of you every day"

"I love you too" Ant smiled through his tears,he hated the thought of being away from Dec for so long but he knew it had to happen,there was no other way.

For a few moments,they both placed their open palms on the others cheeks,looking into each others eyes,nothing more needed to be said,they just connected deeply, peering into what seemed was their souls.They trusted each other with their lives and they knew it would all be fine eventually.

Dec walked back home drained from the previous emotional couple of days,but happy Ant would now be getting the help he so desperately needed.

Joe had parked the car as close to the front door as possible to protect Ant from the press,nevertheless the sound of camera lenses clicking was incessant!

As Ant was driven through the familiar,rainy streets towards the rehab facility,he peered through the darkened car window.

Never had London,the city he loved,that he'd made his home for years looked so scary,daunting and unfriendly,he now felt truly alone!