A GLASGOW man has divided opinion after he defended troubled TV presenter Ant McPartlin in a viral Facebook post.

Eddie Murphy urged people “to look after those closest to you and see if they need your support after the hugely-popular TV star was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

He also appealed for people to bear in mind the 42-year-old has been battling with “depression” and “drug addiction.”

In the full post, Eddie said: “The news about Ant McPartlin’s battles with depression, crippling pain, alcohol and prescription drug addiction will have come as a shock to millions. He always seems so happy and full of life as one half of our nation’s favourite TV duo.

“But it should be a reminder to all of us that, no matter how happy people look, everybody is fighting a battle... we never really know just what our friends, neighbours, colleagues and loved ones are going through.

“Sometimes the people who seem the happiest of all, like Ant, are the ones hiding the deepest pain. Their smiles are a way to cover up everything that they are going through.

“As well as thinking about Ant, please take some time to look after those closest to you and see if they need your support.

“You never know what someone is going through.

“Be kind.

“Always.”

In just two days, the post has amassed a staggering 53,000 reactions and shared as well as hundreds more comments.

READ MORE: Declan Donnelly to host Saturday Night Takeaway alone

While many agreed with Eddie’s words, other were not to sympathetic to the Geordie star’s situation.

One user who defended McPartlin said: “Hope he gets better soon. The negative comments are from people who just don’t have a clue. You do not have to be famous and well paid to make the same mistakes.

“The worst is people who just love to judge others. It's a sad part of society that do this.”

Another user against hit back: “No one should get in behind the wheel of car whilst under the influence of drink or drugs. No excuse. He could have killed someone.”

READ MORE: Dad gutted Saturday Night Takeaway could be axed after getting Ant and Dec tattoo on his leg

The viral post came on Tuesday, just a day before the popular TV presenter was charged with drink-driving following his arrest on Sunday.

He’s due to appear in court next month.

A statement from the Metropolitan Police on Wednesday evening said: “A man has been charged following a road traffic collision in Lower Richmond Road, SW14 that occurred on Sunday, 18 March.

“Anthony McPartlin, 42 (18.11.75) of Chiswick has been charged by postal requisition on Wednesday, 21 March with drink driving.

“He will appear at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on 4 April.”

McPartlin was pictured leaving his rented house in Chiswick with his manager and a driver on Wednesday afternoon.

His TV presenting partner Declan Donnelly will host their programme Saturday Night Takeaway without him, ITV has confirmed.

An ITV spokesman said on Wednesday: “We can confirm that Saturday Night Takeaway, presented by Declan Donnelly, will return to ITV on March 31, and the series finale will be taking place at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida a week later.”

Donnelly wrote in a statement on the duo’s official Twitter page: “Whilst I never thought I’d be in this position, after much discussion and careful consideration we’ve decided that the remaining two shows of this series of Saturday Night Takeaway will go ahead.”

“We made a promise to take hundreds of deserving winners to Florida to watch the series finale, and we will honour that.

“Everyone at ITV and the Takeaway team feels we owe it to the audience to complete the series.”

An ITV spokesman said on Monday they were “reviewing options” for the remaining two episodes of the series, which will now air as scheduled but without McPartlin.