Ant McPartlin might have welcomed a bouncing new baby into the world, but behind his joy lies a hidden heartache.
The Britain's Got Talent presenter, 49, announced the news of his son's birth on Tuesday, 14 May, via a sweet post on Ant and Dec's joint Instagram channel.
His wife of three years, 48 year old Anne-Marie Corbett, gave birth to a baby boy, Wilder Patrick McPartlin, with Ant saying: "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!"
Anne-Marie has two daughters – Poppy and Daisy – from her previous marriage to businessman Scott Corbett, whom she divorced in 2017, making Ant a step-dad. Anne-Marie and Ant didn't officially announce their pregnancy.
However, Ant and his ex-wife – Strictly Come Dancing make-up artist Lisa Armstrong – reportedly ‘struggled to conceive’ a baby, ‘causing friction’ within their marriage.
Speaking in 2013, Ant revealed: "We’d love to have kids. We’re trying. It’s tougher than you think when you get a bit older."
And years later, Ant confirmed the pair’s want to have a family, saying: "We would love to have a family so fingers crossed. If we’re blessed with children, then we’d be over the moon!"
However, in June 2017, Ant sought treatment for his addictions and checked into rehab and left the facility after two months. With the news that Ant had checked into rehab, The Sun revealed at the time that trying for a baby put a "strain" on the pair’s marriage.
At the time, a source said: "Lisa tuned 40 recently and is desperate to have kids. Lately they’ve started wondering if it will really ever happen for them.
"They remain devoted to one another but there’s been a lot of friction. It feels like something is missing, and if kids came along it would make the world of difference to both of them."
Then, after more than 23 years together, Ant and Lisa ended their relationship. Lisa filed for divorce in 2018, and a representative for the pair announced their separation to the public.
Sharing Ant and Anne-Marie's happy news earlier this year, 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."
