The TV presenter, 42, has taken the rest of 2018 off work to recover from drink and drug addiction – which Simon has now admitted came out of the blue to his friends and family.
Ant will not appear on TV until next year in order to overcome his demons, which led him to be arrested and charged for drink-driving back in April.
However, while presenter had been struggling for some time, his close pal Simon, 59, has now revealed that no one had seen his addiction coming.
He told the Mail On Sunday: "I don’t think any of us saw any signs of his cracking up.
"When I spoke to him, he didn't make any excuses. We’re living in a time now when people do get depressed or crack up, and it was harder for him because it was in public."
Having been friends for years, the telly judge added that he had been a huge support to Ant, and had helped him put his situation into perspective.
He continued: "When things go wrong now, I always say, “Hang on a minute, it’s not the end of the world, we can sort this out”, and sometimes you’ve just got to do that.’"
The Syco owner has worked with the star and his sidekick Declan Donnelly since 2007 on Britain's Got Talent – Ant's final project before he headed to rehab.
The host confessed his battle with drink and drugs last summer, following a botched knee operation and fertility struggles with Lisa Armstrong.
The pair confirmed their split six months later, and they were officially granted a divorce at the High Court last week.
Ant has since moved on with his former PA Anne-Marie Corbett, and his pal revealed he was "healthier and happier than ever" after his stint in rehab.
The Sun recently revealed that Ant has splashed out on a £5 million mansion that he can do up as part of his recovery, while Dec jets to Australia to host the jungle-based show with Holly Willoughby.
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