Ant McPartlin has made Declan Donnelly the godfather to his newborn son Wilder Patrick and told his friends that he is ‘beyond thrilled’ to be a dad, according to a new report.
The Geordie duo, both 48, have worked together and been friends for 30 years – starring as presenters on shows such as Saturday Night Takeaway and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!.
And now Ant – who welcomed his first child with wife Anne-Marie Corbett on Tuesday – has made Dec his newborn’s godfather in a sweet nod to his friend, The Sun reports.
Ant shared a Instagram snap sweetly cradling his baby boy on Tuesday, writing: ‘Born, 14/05/24 at 8.54am. Baby is beautiful, Mummy’s a legend, Sisters are over the moon. Dad’s a mess!’
The baby is Ant’s first while Anne-Marie has two children, Poppy, and Daisy, from her previous marriage, with a source saying the pair feel like their family is now ‘complete’.
Ant McPartlin has made Declan Donnelly the godfather to his newborn son Wilder Patrick and told his friends that he is ‘beyond thrilled’ to be a dad, according to a new report
And now Ant – who welcomed his first child with wife Anne-Marie Corbett on Tuesday – has made Dec his newborn’s godfather, The Sun reports
The publication also reports that Ant will now not return to work until May 27 when the BGT live semis begin as he takes some paternity leave.
And a source said of his happiness at becoming a dad: ‘Ant and Anne-Marie are beyond thrilled — their little family is complete.
‘They’ve been overwhelmed with lovely messages from friends, family and fans and are still wading through them. They are incredibly grateful to everyone.
‘They chose the name, Wilder, a while ago but have deliberately kept it a closely guarded secret. They are going to be absolutely wonderful, doting parents and Ant cannot wait to be a hands-on dad, changing the nappies and just spending time with little Wilder.’
Representatives for Ant and Dec have been contacted by MailOnline for comment.
After making the birth announcement Ant was soon flooded with messages from pals including Jamie Redknapp, Davina McCall and Alesha Dixon, who were delighted to see the star finally become a dad, after he publicly discussed his desire to be a parent.
Ant has been candid in the past about his desire to have children and he publicly spoke about how he had been trying for a baby with ex-wife Lisa Armstrong.
The couple were childless when they filed for divorce in 2018 after 11 years of marriage. Ant and Anne-Marie tied the knot in 2021.
The presenter shared a black and white Instagram snap sweetly cradling his baby boy, revealing he’d been born earlier that day on Tuesday morning
The Geordie duo, both 48, have worked together and been friends for 30 years – starring as presenters on shows such as Saturday Night Takeaway (seen) and I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!
The baby is Ant’s first while Anne-Marie has two children, Poppy, and Daisy, from her previous marriage
The couple wed star-studded service in Hampshire in August 2021
When the news of Anne-Marie’s pregnancy was revealed, it was claimed that Ant was over the moon because he didn’t think fatherhood was on the cards for him.
A source told The Sun at time: ‘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.’
In the image, Ant also revealed an intricate tree tattoo on his shoulder with sweet dedications to his stepchildren from Anne-Marie’s previous marriage, and their pet dogs, Milo and Bumble.
Following the announcement, a slew of Ant’s celebrity pals shared their well-wishes in the comments.
Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon wrote: ‘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.’
Davina McCall wrote: ‘Arrrrrgggghhhhh!! This is AMAZING!! Congratulations to ALL of you!’ and Joel Dommett added: ‘LOVE THIS!’
New This Morning host Cat Deeley penned: ‘Amazing! What wonderful news …. Congratulations.’
Vicky Pattison added: ‘Congratulations guys! Omg!!! Love the name!’, while Jamie Redknapp simply replied with some red hearts.
Ant’s BGT colleague Amanda Holden then penned: ‘Oh my gosh, this is just the most amazing news. Congratulations.’
Wilder’s arrival came just two days after Ant joined his presenting partner Declan Donnelly at the BAFTA TV Awards, but left the ceremony solo 15 minutes before it was due to end, skipping the traditional afterparties.
There were previously fears that Anne-Marie’s due date could coincide with one of Ant’s biggest shows – the live finals of Britain’s Got Talent.
Last year’s final aired on June 4, with the five live semi finals traditionally taking place nightly in the week leading up to the finale date.
A source said that the ‘timing caused something of a headache for bosses,’ and they were considering having a back up presenter in case Ant couldn’t be there.
Names in the frame included new This Morning host Cat Deeley or Dancing On Ice’s Stephen Mulhern.
‘They are considering whether Dec would present alone if Anne-Marie went into labour or, if time allows, a guest pres’ the source revealed.
‘Cat and Stephen, who the lads have worked with in the past, are front-runners.’
In February, Ant broke his silence on becoming a father for the first time in a candid interview as he spoke about taking a break from hosting Saturday Night Takeaway.
In February, Ant broke his silence on becoming a father for the first time in a candid interview as he spoke about taking a break from hosting Saturday N
Ant opened up about the real reasons for the show’s pause in an interview with Fault Magazine as he publicly addressed his wife’s pregnancy for the first timeHe said: ‘We [he and Declan Donnelly] have both got children that we need to spend time with for a little bit.
‘We need time to think and, and time to step back and look at the bigger picture and just see where we are now.’
Dec shares two children – Isla, age five, and Jack, one, with his wife Ali Astall.
It was previously rumoured in December that Anne-Marie could be expecting their first child, after she appeared to be pregnant while returning from a trip to Dubai.
According to The Sun, Ant, who was previously married to makeup artist Lisa Armstrong, had already confided the wonderful news to Dec following weeks of speculation, with a source telling the publication: ‘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.’
They went on to describe Ant as a ‘wonderful doting father’ to Anne-Marie’s children and said the couple did everything they could to keep the news a secret for as long as possible.
Adding: ‘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.’
Ant has always been open about his desire to be a father.
In 2013, he revealed his and ex-wife Lisa Armstrong’s struggles, saying: ‘There’s a rumour that I’m holding off having kids till 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 TV star credits his wife, who he married in a lavish £500k wedding in 2021, for getting him through his alcohol and prescription drug addictions.
Previously saying: ‘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.’
There were rumours swirling for some months that the couple might be expecting – particularly after Anne-Marie decided against flying to Australia to be at her husband’s side as while he hosted ITV’s I’m A Celebrity.
Instead, he was there alone while his on-screen partner Dec was joined by his wife Ali Astall and their two children, Isla, five, and Jack, one.
The couple set tongues wagging when Anne-Marie was seen arriving at Heathrow airport in December on the way to a New Year break to Dubai, appearing to be several months pregnant.
One onlooker said of Ant: ‘He couldn’t stop smiling, he looked like the happiest man in the world.’
The pair got together after meeting while she worked for Ant and his former wife, Lisa Armstrong.
Friends previously told MailOnline’s Katie Hind that Lisa would be ‘very upset’ if her former partner’s happy news was confirmed – because she too was desperate to become a mother.
In fact, it is believed that she and Ant tried for a baby for several years and she was devastated when their marriage ended in 2018, still childless.
For make-up artist Lisa, who shares a brown labrador named Hurley with her ex-husband, what has made it harder is that Anne-Marie worked for them as a PA before she began dating the I’m A Celeb star.
A friend said in December: ‘Anne-Marie was Lisa’s friend, and she was heavily involved in getting her the job working for the McPartlins.
‘Lisa would send Anne-Marie’s children birthday and Christmas presents, she even went on holiday with them, and then bang, it all changed.’
Ant and Lisa – a former singer in the now defunct pop band Deuce – married in 2006 at a lavish ceremony at Cliveden House in Berkshire.
They split in September 2018 after he checked into rehab for addiction issues.
A lengthy divorce battle followed, mostly over the TV star’s £60million fortune.
Rumours that the couple had split emerged in autumn 2017 after Lisa did not accompany Ant to Australia for I’m A Celeb.
She denied there were problems at the time, pointing out that she had a job and had not been to Australia for years.
But Ant’s representative announced in January 2018 that the couple’s 11 year marriage had ended.
Ant began to be linked with his personal assistant Anne-Marie just weeks later in March 2018.
Lisa was said to have indicated her disapproval of the relationship by liking a fan’s tweet which said it was ‘a major girl code breach’ to ‘start shacking up with your wife’s friend’.
Her and Ant’s marriage officially ended in October 2018 when she was granted a decree nisi after he admitted adultery.
Lisa split from her most recent partner, James, 40, in August 2023 after he surprisingly ended their romance and moved out of her £4.5m London home while she was working in Manchester.
Insiders close to the former couple have told MailOnline their relationship turned toxic over money, as Lisa claims she loaned him cash during their time together back, but he’s resisting all approaches.
Lisa and James dated for three years and the electrician was her most serious relationship since her high-profile divorce from husband Ant, in which she received a reported £31m payout.
James was working for a company installing electric doors when they met, having recently moved out of the £450,000 family home he shared with ex-wife Kirsty in Winchester, Hampshire.
But James shocked Lisa by breaking up with her totally unannounced and moved his belongings out of her home when she was away.
A source told MailOnline at the time: ‘I don’t really know what has gone wrong. The two of them were only on a swanky holiday together in the Caribbean or somewhere about eight weeks ago.
‘He was with her one day, and he just wasn’t with her the next day. There was no inkling that anything was wrong.’
Despite the surprise split, friends told how the pair were initially on amicable terms but that is no longer the case, mainly in part to Lisa’s demands for her money back.
A friend of James said: ‘When Lisa gave him that money, he thought it was in good grace – he didn’t see it as a loan with strict conditions to pay it back by a certain time.
‘It’s all got rather messy and Lisa threatening him with legal action is obviously concerning given her financial power.’
During their divorce battle, Ant is said to have told lawyers: ‘She can have anything she wants – except the dog.’
The Geordie duo are seen together presenting Britain’s Got Talent back in 2007
Ant was always open about his desire to be a father and tried unsuccessfully for a child with ex-wife (pictured at their wedding in 2006)
The former couple reportedly agreed to take it in turns to look after Hurley.
The arrangement led to the TV presenter’s chauffeur ferrying the dog between the two of them so they did not have to see each other.
It was reported in February this year that Lisa wanted her pet to live with her full time.
She is said to have argued that it was only fair as Ant also had two maltipoo dogs – Maltese and poodle crossbreeds – called Milo and Bumble.