Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Ant McPartlin "could have killed my daughter" says father involved in crash

AN INDIAN couple have said TV star Ant McPartlin “could have killed [their] daughter”, in the aftermath of a car crash last Sunday afternoon (18).

Faheem Vanoo, his wife Shilpa Dandekar and daughter Amaira, 4, were involved in a head-on collision with a car driven by the Newcastle-born TV presenter.


Vanoo, who owns the eatery Pure Indian Cooking in west London, told the Mail Online his family were “dazed and confused” by the crash, describing it as a “terrible, chaotic scene”.

He added he did not care about McPartlin’s status as “a famous TV star - he could have put my daughter in a wheelchair”.

McPartlin is understood to have crashed his Mini, which also contained his mother Christine Woodhall and dog, into Vanoo’s vehicle and another separate car on a west London road near Richmond Park at around 4pm on Sunday.

It is alleged the star failed a roadside breathalyser test and was subsequently arrested by police.

The 42-year-old, who is best known for his television presenting career alongside Declan Donnelly, has previously battled with painkiller and alcohol abuse. He infamously spent time in rehab last year before returning to his presenting duties on the popular ITV show I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here.

According to Vanoo, McPartlin’s Mini cooper came “flying” around a sharp corner on the wrong side of the road as it attempted to overtake a separate vehicle.

“I hardly had time to react and turned in towards the kerb to avoid a head-on collision,” the restaurant boss recalled. “I'm convinced that split-second turn of the wheel saved us all from being crippled or killed - I reckon he was doing 50 or 60mph.”

He went on: “The horn of his car was blaring, and my little girl was crying in shock. It was a terrible, chaotic scene.”

Dandekar is said to have suffered a bust lip due to the collision and Amaira was assessed in an ambulance, although she required no further treatment. The couple later took their daughter to West Middlesex Hospital in Isleworth by her parents for a check-up although they confirmed she did not have to stay overnight.

“It is not something that we ever expected, but we are just grateful that no one was hurt,” Dandekar said. “It has been a terrible experience and it feels like we are coming out of a nightmare. It has left us all a bit shaken up.”

Vanoo, who is originally from Mumbai, said he could not confirm if McPartlin had been in touch with him since the collision.

McPartlin is understood to have spent Sunday evening in police custody before being allowed home in the early hours of Monday.

Family members have said he is “distraught” about the incident, especially when he learnt young children were involved.

As well as his spell in rehab, the presenter has endured recent personal troubles as he split with wife Lisa Armstrong in January.

A spokesperson for McPartlin announced on Monday (19) he would be stepping down from his TV roles for “the foreseeable future” following his arrest and would be receiving further treatment.

More For You

Vijay-Mallya-Getty

Vijay Mallya, accused of loan defaults of over about £756 million, has been living in the UK and is contesting extradition. (Photo: Getty Images)

UK team inspects Delhi jail as India pursues extradition of fugitives

INDIA’s efforts to secure the extradition of high-profile economic offenders from the United Kingdom, including Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya, have moved forward with a recent visit by a team from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to Tihar Jail in Delhi, an official said on Sunday (September 7).

The CPS delegation visited the prison last week to review jail conditions as required by UK courts before deciding on extradition requests, the official said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Shabana Mahmood

The minister, promoted from the Ministry of Justice during prime minister Keir Starmer’s Cabinet reshuffle last Friday, said securing the country’s borders would be her main focus.

Getty Images

Shabana Mahmood warns of visa cuts for countries refusing to take back migrants

Highlights:

  • Mahmood warns countries refusing to take back migrants could face visa suspensions
  • More than 1,000 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats over the weekend
  • Mahmood hosted Five Eyes ministers from the US, Australia, New Zealand and Canada in London
  • Home secretary says border security will be her main focus after Cabinet reshuffle
  • NEWLY-APPOINTED home secretary Shabana Mahmood on Monday (September 8) outlined a tougher approach on immigration, warning that countries refusing to take back illegal migrants could face visa suspensions.

    Keep ReadingShow less
    migrants cross Channel

    Migrants wade into the sea to board a dinghy to cross the English Channel on August 25, 2025 in Gravelines, France.(Photo: Getty Images)

    Over 1,000 migrants cross Channel on Shabana Mahmood’s first day as home secretary

    MORE than 1,000 migrants arrived on small boats across the Channel on Shabana Mahmood’s first full day as home secretary, taking total arrivals this year past 30,000.

    The Home Office said 1,097 migrants crossed on Saturday after nine days without any arrivals. It was the second-highest daily total this year, after 1,195 on May 31. Crossings have now reached 30,100 — 37 per cent higher than at this point in 2023 and 8 per cent higher than 2022, the record year.

    Keep ReadingShow less
    Nepal protests

    Demonstrators gather at the entrance of the parliament during a protest against corruption and government’s decision to block several social media platforms, in Kathmandu, Nepal September 8, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

    Protests erupt in Nepal over social media shutdown, corruption allegations

    Highlights:

    • Thousands of young Nepalis march in Kathmandu against social media ban and corruption
    • Government blocks 26 unregistered platforms, citing fake news and fraud concerns
    • Police use tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons to disperse protesters
    • Critics accuse government of authoritarianism and failure to deliver on promises

    THOUSANDS of young Nepalis marched in Kathmandu on Monday demanding that the government lift its ban on social media platforms and address corruption.

    Keep ReadingShow less
    English Channel

    People try to board a migrant dinghy into the English Channel on August 25, 2025 in Gravelines, France. (Photo: Getty Images)

    Government plans to use military sites for migrant housing

    THE UK government said on Sunday it is examining the use of military sites to house migrants, amid growing criticism over the practice of accommodating asylum seekers in hotels.

    "We are looking at the potential use of military and non-military use sites for temporary accommodation for the people who come across on these small boats," defence secretary John Healey told Sky News.

    Keep ReadingShow less