PROUD Ant McPartlin told friends he was “beyond thrilled” after becoming a father for the first time at the age of 48 yesterday.
The ecstatic TV presenter said his beloved boy, Wilder, was “beautiful”, his wife Anne-Marie was a “legend” – and he was a “mess”.
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Ant McPartlin made a touching gesture to best friend Declan Donnelly after welcoming his first child with wife Anne MarieCredit: Rex
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Ant confirmed the news with a sweet black and white snap of him holding their newborn Credit: Instagram
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The happy couple started dating in 2018. Credit: Getty
Anne-Marie, 46, gave birth shortly before 9am at the London clinic – where King Charles and the Princess of Wales recently received treatment.
Insiders said Ant made his best friend and TV partner Declan Donnelly, 48, the boy’s godfather.
Britain Got Talent host Ant shared a photo of himself cradling his newborn on Instagram.
He told his followers: “Welcome to the family. Wilder Patrick McPartlin. Born, 14/05/24 at 8.54 am.
READ MORE AT ANT MCPARTLIN
“The baby is beautiful, the mother is a legend, the sisters are extraordinary. Dad is a mess!”
The middle name was chosen as a tribute to Anne-Marie’s late father, Paddy.
The Sun first revealed in February that Ant and Anne-Marie – who has two daughters from a previous marriage – were to become parents.
Pals told The Sun how Ant was talking excitedly about his upcoming appearance at the TV Bafta on Sunday night.
The friend added: “Ant and Anne-Marie are beyond thrilled – their little family is complete. They are inundated with lovely messages from friends, family and fans and are still working their way through them. They are incredibly grateful to everyone.
“They chose the name, Wilder, some time ago, but deliberately kept it a closely guarded secret. They will be absolutely wonderful, caring parents and Ant can’t wait to be a hands-on dad, changing nappies and just spending time with little Wilder.”
Ant McPartlin’s joyous journey into fatherhood
Ant and Anne-Marie chose to deliver their baby at the London Clinic in central London, just over seven miles from the home they share with her daughters Poppy and Daisy in Chiswick, west London.
Since he started dating Anne-Marie, Ant has become a devoted stepfather.
In his Instagram post for the baby, he showed off a family tree tattoo – with “Amzie”, his nickname for Anne-Marie, “Poppy” and “Daisy”, and their dogs “Milo” and “Bumble” inscribed on his arm.
A friend of the Newcastle United fan added: “Ant has longed to be a dad for years and being a father figure to Daisy and Poppy has brought him indescribable joy. When Anne-Marie got pregnant, Ant was beside himself.
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Anne-Marie gave birth shortly before 9am at the London clinic — where King Charles and the Princess of Wales recently received treatment Credit: Ray Collins
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Since dating Anne-Marie, Ant has become a devoted stepfatherCredit: Dan Jones images/THESUN
“They’ve known they were having a boy for some time and Ant is looking forward to taking Wilder to his first game at Newcastle United in a number of years. He’s on cloud nine.”
Ant reunited with his personal assistant Anne-Marie, below, following his split from Strictly Come Dancing makeup artist Lisa Armstrong in 2017.
His 11-year marriage to Lisa ended in a bitter divorce – handing over £31m of his estimated £50m fortune.
He married Anne-Marie in 2021, and Dec was best man. Ant is also godfather to Dec and wife Ali Astall’s two children, Isla and Jack.
‘CLOUD NINE’
Just before Ant went public with the news, Lisa shared a cryptic message on Instagram about staying strong.
She posted: “Be proud of how you’ve handled the past few months.
“The silent battles you fought, the moments when you had to humble yourself, the moments when you wiped away your own tears. Celebrate your strength.”
Ant will now not return to work until May 27 when the BGT live semi-finals begin.
He previously opened up about his desire to have children – and his heartbreaking struggles to get pregnant with Lisa.
In a touching interview with the Radio Times 12 years ago, before Dec started dating Ali, Ant said: “There are rumors that we do everything together and that I’m holding off on having kids until Dec finds his Mrs. Right. I like the idea, but I’m afraid it’s not true.
“Lisa and I would like to have children. We’re trying. It’s harder than you think when you get a little older. We’ve wanted kids for a while, but we’re both busy.
“So, Lisa and I are trying to have a baby . . . well, we’ve been trying for a while so fingers crossed.”
Ant’s family tree is finally complete
From Clemmie Moodie
FOR a man whose life has played out so widely on TV – not to mention newspapers, magazines and social media – Ant McPartlin has managed to keep one thing quiet: a huge family tree tattoo on his left shoulder.
Taking to Instagram for the first time yesterday – to announce the birth of his newborn son Wilder – those who know Ant say it reveals everything you need to know about the lad.
That behind the TV makeup, celebrity, swollen bank accounts and endless accolades is a devoted family man. For Anto, family always came before fame.
Having been unable to have children for years, he would trade any NTA in the world for the world of changing diapers.
Finally, after years of longing, there’s a new assistant in town – and it’s not Declan Donnelly.
Ant’s second wife, Anne-Marie, and the names of the couple’s two daughters from her first marriage take pride of place in the newly discovered ink. As well as the couple’s two dogs, Milo and Bumble.
With the birth of the first son, Anto’s family tree is now complete.
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education