Ant McPartlin steps out as he finds himself thrust into Caroline Flack’s Love Island scandal

Ant McPartlin was seen walking his dogs on Monday, after ITV was accused of ‘double standards’ for supporting him during his drink-drive scandal yet ‘failing’ to back Caroline Flack in the wake of her assault charge.

Former Love Island host Caroline, 40, stepped down from the ITV2 show on Tuesday, as she declared that she didn’t want to ‘detract from the upcoming series’ with her own personal drama, after she was arrested for ‘assault by beating’ last Thursday. 

Britain’s Got Talent presenter Ant, 44, wrapped up in the chilly weather as he took dogs Hurley, Milo and Bumble for a stroll in the park.

Sighting: Ant McPartlin was seen walking his dogs on Monday, after ITV was accused of ‘double standards’ for supporting him during his drink-drive scandal yet failing to back Caroline Flack in the wake of her assault charge

Arrest: Former Love Island host Caroline, 40, stepped down from the ITV2 show on Tuesday, as she declared that she didn't want to 'detract from the upcoming series' with her own personal drama, after she was arrested for 'assault by beating' last Thursday

Arrest: Former Love Island host Caroline, 40, stepped down from the ITV2 show on Tuesday, as she declared that she didn’t want to ‘detract from the upcoming series’ with her own personal drama, after she was arrested for ‘assault by beating’ last Thursday

The star donned a navy quilted jacket with a furry hood paired with black gloves and a scarlet t-shirt.

He teamed this with a pair of navy chinos and shoes as he carried a dog toy.

The I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here host, who has recently returned from show filming  in Australia, looked relaxed as he enjoyed a break from his hectic schedule.

The sighting comes amid claims insiders at ITV are said to be furious that bosses vowed to support Ant in his hour of need, whereas Caroline is reportedly yet to receive as much as a phone call from the broadcaster, reports The Sun.  

Outing: Britain's Got Talent presenter Ant, 44, wrapped up in the chilly weather as he took dogs Hurley, Milo and Bumble for a stroll in the park

Stroll: The star donned a navy quilted jacket with a furry hood paired with black gloves and a scarlet t-shirt

Outing: Britain’s Got Talent presenter Ant, 44, wrapped up in the chilly weather as he took dogs Hurley, Milo and Bumble for a stroll in the park

Smile: The star cracked a smile as he spent time with his beloved dogs

Smile: The star cracked a smile as he spent time with his beloved dogs 

Outing: The I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here host, who has recently returned from show filming in Australia, looked relaxed as he enjoyed a break from his hectic schedule

Outing: The I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here host, who has recently returned from show filming in Australia, looked relaxed as he enjoyed a break from his hectic schedule

Park: The star looked happy as he spent quality time with his dogs

Park: The star looked happy as he spent quality time with his dogs 

A source told the website: ‘Ant hit a car carrying a child while drunk and he gets ITV’s full support. Caroline has a row with her boyfriend and she’s axed. It’s a crazy double standard.’ 

Behind-the-scenes some people apparently believe ITV bosses have failed their duty of care to Caroline, after she said she would be standing down after being charged with assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27.

According to sources, Caroline has apparently hit an all time low after leaving her role as Love Island host for the foreseeable future.

Beloved: The star has recently returned to the chilly climes of Britain after a stint Down Under

Beloved: The star has recently returned to the chilly climes of Britain after a stint Down Under

Pets: The star was joined by Hurley, Milo and Bumble as he strolled through the park

Pets: The star was joined by Hurley, Milo and Bumble as he strolled through the park

Pensive: Ant was deep in thought as he walked along with his dogs following behind

Pensive: Ant was deep in thought as he walked along with his dogs following behind 

Off we go: The star looked casual as he enjoyed a day of leisure in the park

Off we go: The star looked casual as he enjoyed a day of leisure in the park

A source said: ‘Does ITV not have a duty of care towards her? This is a strong woman but she’s never felt as low as she has at this moment. It’s like her whole career has been taken from her.’ 

Another insider said: ‘She hasn’t even had a phone call from ITV. They haven’t waited for the outcome here. What if the charges are dropped?’ 

Despite the claims of abandonment, ITV did issue a statement of support, which read: ‘ITV has a long standing relationship with Caroline and we understand and accept her decision.

Focus: The presenter was followed through the park by his beloved pets

Focus: The presenter was followed through the park by his beloved pets 

In you go: Ant lifted one of his dogs into the car as he prepared to leave

In you go: Ant lifted one of his dogs into the car as he prepared to leave 

‘We will remain in contact with her over the coming months about future series of Love Island.’   

A source also told MailOnline: ‘The door is firmly open to Caroline.’ 

ITV has been contacted for comment by MailOnline.

Caroline decided to stand down as Love Island host on Tuesday, four days after she was charged with assault following a row with boyfriend Lewis at her home.  

The presenter, who was recently given a £1.2m deal to host two seasons of the show a year, is said to be ‘devastated’, but for now, is only standing down from the sixth series, which ITV confirmed will begin on January 12.   

Playtime: The star was animated as he walked along with his dogs in tow

Playtime: The star was animated as he walked along with his dogs in tow

Day of leisure: The star wrapped up in a quilted navy jacket as he walked along

Day of leisure: The star wrapped up in a quilted navy jacket as he walked along

Playtime: The dogs were enjoying their day in the park as Ant followed behind

Playtime: The dogs were enjoying their day in the park as Ant followed behind

Casual: Ant looked delighted as he played with his pet dogs in the park

Casual: Ant looked delighted as he played with his pet dogs in the park 

Caroline broke her silence on Instagram and wrote: ‘There have been a significant number of media reports and allegations in regard to my personal life. 

‘While matters were not as have been reported I am committed to co-operating with the appropriate authorities and I can’t comment further on these matters until the legal process is over.

‘However Love Island has been my world for the last five years, it’s the best show on telly. In order not to detract attention from the upcoming series I feel the best thing I can do is stand down from Series 6.   

Contrasting: The sighting comes amid claims Insiders at ITV are said to be furious that bosses vowed to support Ant in his hour of need, whereas Caroline is reportedly yet to receive as much as a phone call from the broadcaster

Contrasting: The sighting comes amid claims Insiders at ITV are said to be furious that bosses vowed to support Ant in his hour of need, whereas Caroline is reportedly yet to receive as much as a phone call from the broadcaster

Support: Insiders at ITV are said to be furious that bosses vowed to support Ant in his hour of need, whereas Caroline is reportedly yet to receive as much as a phone call from the broadcaster

Support: Insiders at ITV are said to be furious that bosses vowed to support Ant in his hour of need, whereas Caroline is reportedly yet to receive as much as a phone call from the broadcaster

Over: Caroline shared this post on Instagram on Tuesday as she broke her silence on the matter - the decision will no doubt prove to be a logistical nightmare for ITV

Over: Caroline shared this post on Instagram on Tuesday as she broke her silence on the matter – the decision will no doubt prove to be a logistical nightmare for ITV 

'I've been offered help and understanding': Caroline also thanked fans for their kindness and asserted her love for her boyfriend Lewis at the same time

‘I’ve been offered help and understanding’: Caroline also thanked fans for their kindness and asserted her love for her boyfriend Lewis at the same time 

‘I want to wish the incredible team working on the show a fantastic series in Cape Town.’ 

Caroline continued: ‘And on a really personal level. I have never experienced such kindness and love in my whole life.

‘Not just from friends and family who are always the greatest but also from total strangers who send messages to me offering help and understanding… Please know that I see them and my boyfriend Lewis. I love you x.’ 

Shock: Caroline and Lewis have maintained that things are OK between them and she asserted on Tuesday that she loves him  (pictured in October)

Shock: Caroline and Lewis have maintained that things are OK between them and she asserted on Tuesday that she loves him  (pictured in October)