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I’m A Celebrity: hidden meaning behind Ant McPartlin’s new tattoos explained

It's been a tough few years for the TV presenter...

By Helen Fear

Presenter Ant McPartlin unveiled his new tattoos on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! last night and lots of his fans were left wondering what they meant.

Ant made his return to presenting I’m A Celebrity… on Sunday (November 17) and fans were stunned to see one huge change about him – the new inkings on his arms.

Ant has new inkings on his arms (Credit: ITV)

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We’re used to seeing Ant with his arms covered in smart suits and jackets.

But the warmer climate in Australia saw him wearing just a short-sleeved shirt, which unveiled new body art on both of his forearms.

Ant has a mental health awareness tattoo on his arm.

Fans were surprised to see the new markings and, by the looks of them, he’s had them done fairly recently.

And, it’s perhaps unsurprising to learn that the TV presenter’s new tatts have a particular significance, bearing in mind what a difficult few years he’s had – including the break-up of his marriage, a drink-drive conviction and overcoming an addiction to painkillers.

According to one tattoo fan, the arrow on his right forearm, and the floral design on the left are all nods to his recent troubles.

One said: “That tattoo on Ant’s arm says ‘clean 1 year’ #ImACeleb.”

Another said: “Ant on I’m A Celeb has a mental health awareness tattoo on his arm.”

According to The Sun, a single arrow “stands for power and direction” and can also signal moving forward, as “arrows point the way”.

With regard to the rose flower design on his left forearm, that can “express promise, hope and new beginnings.

“It is contrasted by thorns symbolising defence, loss and thoughtlessness.”

Last year, Ant revealed he’d had the Alcoholics Anonymous symbol tattooed on the inside of his wrist.

His triangle tattoo inside a circle represents the group’s motto “stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety”.

The star also has an ‘S’ for sober on his right wrist.

Ant tattoos I'm A Celeb
Ant unveiled his new meaningful tattoos (Credit: ITV)

The series kicked off tonight with half of the celebs arriving on board a luxury yacht, while the other half were taken by speedboat to a beach.

The teams were stunned when the gang on the yacht – Nadine Coyle, Ian Wright, James Haskell, Kate Garraway, and Myles Stephenson – were told they had to swim to the beach in the clothes they were wearing to partner up with someone else.

Those waiting on the beach were Caitlyn Jenner, Roman Kemp, Adele Roberts, Jacqueline Jossa, and Andrew Maxwell.

Once the pairs had been made, a terrifying challenge awaited six of them as they had to walk the plank high in the sky.

Don’t look down (Credit: ITV)

Ant took a year off after being arrested for drink driving and going to rehab, so he missed presenting last year’s series.

Holly Willoughby made the trip to Australia alongside Dec Donnelly to present in Ant’s absence.

But depsite the fact she was hit with fans, it was made very clear it was just temporary and Ant would be returning.

And return he has.

Ant’s back where he belongs (Credit: ITV)

Within minutes of the opening title sequence, Ant and Dec were cracking jokes like they’d never been separated – and fans loved it!

Some were even in tears that he was back and looking so well.

Read more: I’m A Celebrity’s Nadine Coyle in tears on launch show

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Helen Fear
TV Editor

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