Ant McPartlin ‘getting dad advice’ from best pal Dec Donnelly as pair plan joint summer family holiday
NEW dad Ant McPartlin is getting some top-notch parenting tips from his close pal Dec Donnelly – and they’re already planning a family holiday together.
The award-winning Geordie duo, who first met on the set of the nineties kids TV show Byker Grove, have been inseparable for the past 35 years.
And as Ant enters this exciting chapter in his life there’s a new “little Ant and Dec” duo in the making.
Las week the 48-year-old presenter announced on social media that his wife Anne-Marie Corbett, 46, had given birth to their first child together.
The pair confirmed the news with a sweet black and white snap of Ant holding their new born.
They captioned the post: “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!”
Along with the sweet snap it has been reported that Ant has asked Dec to be godfather to his new son.
A source told OK!: “Dec is obviously so excited for Ant and has already been giving him advice – mainly how to deal with sleepless nights.
“He can’t wait to take on the role of godfather and he’s promised to take his duties very seriously.”
The insider revealed that Ant “always” planned to make Dec godfather to any biological children he might have.
Dec’s son Jack has Anthony as a middle name, a sweet tribute to his best pal.
He also has a four-year-old daughter named Isla whom he shares with his wife Ali Astall.
An insider revealed that Dec’s children are delighted to have a new playmate in the McPartlin-Donnelly gang.
They are already planning joint summer holidays to their holiday homes in Portugal.
“Wilder will practically be like a nephew to Dec, and he and Ant are excited for their boys to grow up together as there’s less than two years between Wilder and Dec’s son Jack – they want them to become as close as they are,” the source added.
“Also, Dec’s little girl Isla loves babies and is very pleased there is another baby around.
“They’re planning lots of playdates and family holidays they’re all hoping to spend most of the summer in Portugal as they always do and are all excited for Wilder’s first holiday.
“Dec has also joked that Ant and Anne-Marie won’t need to spend a fortune on clothes, as they can have all of Jack’s hand-me-downs!”
A close pal revealed that Dec admires Ant’s resilience and is excited about what the future holds for them both as dads.
“He’s proud of how Ant has bounced back from all of his issues and is delighted for him and Anne-Marie, he knows fatherhood will be the making of Ant,” the insider shared.
Ant and Dec's incredible career
ANT McPartlin and Declan Donnelly met on the set of Byker Grove in 1990.
The two went on to have chart success under their characters’ names – including their 1994 No1 smash hit Let’s Get Ready To Rhumble.
They haven’t looked back since then, going on to present some of the most popular shows on TV.
Here’s a rundown of some of their most popular shows – plus one “dud”.
- The Ant & Dec Show – this late afternoon kids’ entertainment series ran from 1995-1996 for 17 episodes
- Ant & Dec Unzipped – the twosome jumped from ITV to Channel 4 for this children’s sketch show in 1997
- SM:TV Live – the duo teamed up with Cat Deeley in 1998 for Saturday morning mayhem including the classic Wonkey Donkey game
- Friends Like These – the Geordie pair hopped channels again, landing on BBC One to present this game show from 1999 until 2001
- Pop Idol – before The X Factor there was Pop Idol, which ran for two seasons in 2001 and 2002 and saw Michelle McManus and Will Young crowned the winners
- I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here – the reality TV show began in 2002, with Dec presenting all 23 seasons, even one without sidekick Ant as Holly Willoughby stepped up
- Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway – this show also began in 2002, but the lads said the 2024 offering would be their last
- PokerFace – Ant and Dec created this game show which aired from 2006-2007. with a top prize of £1million.
- Britain’s Got Talent – the TV series began in 2007 with the pair’s backstage antics loved by fans. They also took part in silly competitions on Stephen Mulhern‘s ITV spin-off Britain’s Got More Talent
- Red Or Black – the show only aired for two seasons in 2011 and 2012. It was one of the pair’s rare “flops” with Dec admitting “we got it wrong”
- Ant & Dec’s Limitless Win – the pair had another success on their hands when this show hit screens in 2022
