Ant McPartlin, 48, and his wife of three years, Anne-Marie Corbett, 46, have welcomed their first baby together.
The official Instagram account of Ant and TV partner Declan Donnelly announced the news and shared their newborn’s adorable name, writing: ‘Welcome to the family Wilder Patrick McPartlin.
‘Born, 14/05/24 at 8.54am.
‘Baby is beautiful, Mummy’s a legend, Sisters are over the moon. Dad’s a mess!’
The sweet picture saw Ant cuddling his bundle of joy and revealing a family tree tattoo, with the names of his two step-daughters on either side and their dogs, Milo and Bumble.
Fans and friends alike rushed to share their congratulations with the new family of five, with @jenny_22_x writing: ‘UR A DAD NOW ANT YAYAYAYAY OMG CONGRATS IM SO HAPPY FOR U.’
Former This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby wrote: ‘Congratulations… welcome to the world Wilder… such beautiful news,’ alongside a red heart, while past I’m A Celebrity stars including Joel Dommett, Vicky Pattison and Fred Sirieix also congratulated Ant.
Cat Deeley, who rose to fame as a presenter on SM:TV Live alongside Ant and Dec, said: ‘Amazing! What wonderful news … Congratulations.’
Other co-stars congratulating Ant were Britain’s Got Talent judges Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon.
‘Awwwww darling I’m so happy for you both! Baby shares the same birthday as my mummy! Can’t wait to meet buba and to celebrate soon! Love you both,’ Alesha said, while Amanda commented: ‘Oh my gosh, this is just the most amazing news. Congratulations.’
TV presenter Davina McCall echoed: ‘Arggggghhhhhhhhhh!!!! This is AMAZING !!!! Congratulations to ALL of you.’
The news comes weeks after Ant and Dec, also 48, ended their final series of Saturday Night Takeaway before going on hiatus, with Ant previously sharing that the break was in line with his new fatherhood duties.
Ant explained how he and Dec – who has two children with wife Ali Astall – needed a break from the show after this new season to spend time with family, saying: ‘Part of the reason we’re pausing Takeaway is we need a break ourselves, and we need to spend some time with our family.
He added: ‘We’ve both got children that we need to spend time with for a little bit.’
It has yet to be confirmed when they’ll be returning to presenting duties, though the Geordie duo are currently on our screens each weekend as the pre-recorded Britain’s Got Talent auditions air.
Rumours about a possibly pregnancy began swirling at the beginning of the year and in early February, the legendary I’m a Celebrity presenter’s step-father David Woodhall confirmed the baby news.
In a chat with The Sun, David spoke about Ant’s stepdaughters saying: ‘[Ant] will make a good dad. He’s good with the girls so he’ll be great.’
‘He’s very happy I think. I’m over the moon.’
Later that same month, fans were able to get some visual confirmation about this pregnancy as Anne-Marie showed off her huge baby bump while out in London.
The bump was visible as the couple was snapped leaving the London Palladium where Ant was presenting Britain’s Got Talent. Fans were delighted for the presenter who at long last was going to become a father.
Although he was previously married for many years, Ant hasn’t any children and but has two stepdaughters, his wife’s teenage children from her first marriage.
A source told The Sun: ‘This is the news everyone wanted. Ant and Anne-Marie are beyond delighted.’
‘It’s no secret that Ant has always wanted children, but that it may never happen for him was something he had, sadly, come to terms with.’
‘When they found out last year, they were absolutely delighted, but obviously kept the news quiet for as long as possible.’
‘To be having a child two years short of his 50th birthday, with the love of his life, is the stuff of dreams for Ant.’
‘He’s already a wonderful, doting father to Anne-Marie’s kids, and together they’re going to be brilliant parents to this latest addition to the family.’
The couple lives in a lavish £6million property in Wimbledon, which is just a few miles from Ant’s former home with his ex-wife in Chiswick.
In an old Radio Times interview while still married to his ex Lisa Armstrong, Ant admitted that he and his ex, who he married in 2006 and split from in 2018, tried for a baby for several years.
‘There’s a rumour that we do everything together and I’m holding off having kids ‘til Dec finds himself Mrs Right. I love that idea, but I’m afraid it’s not true.’
‘Lisa and I would love to have kids. We’re trying. It’s tougher than you think when you get a bit older.’
The new parents began dating in 2018, the same year he first split with Lisa after years together. The couple met when Anne-Marie worked as a personal assistant for Ant and his ex-wife and reportedly planned their 10-year anniversary party in 2016.
Although there were claims of cheating because the couple got together just six months after Ant’s separation from Lisa was made public, the star has rubbished the reports.
The family are now a happy five some, and Ant has spoken about his admiration for his two stepdaughters, who are now aged 16 and 18.
Speaking to The Telegraph in 2021, Ant commented: ‘I’ve got two step-daughters, 13 and 15 and they are more socially aware at that age than I was in my mid-20s.’
He has also spoken publicly about his love for his wife Anne-Marie.
In 2019 the Britain’s Got Talent star said: ‘She’s been my rock. She’s a beautiful soul. We’re very happy. I’m in the best place I’ve been in my life. It’s great.’
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