Ant McPartlin, known for being one half of the beloved presenting duo Ant and Dec, recently shared the joyous news of welcoming his first child with wife Anne-Marie.
Taking to social media platform X, Ant expressed his gratitude for the flood of kind messages following the birth of his son, Wilder.
He posted, “Hey all, I just wanted to say thank you so much for the kind messages of love and well wishes for our baby Wilder. He’s doing great.”
Addressing the Tattoo Controversy
Alongside the birth announcement, Ant also took the opportunity to address a concern raised by fans regarding his new tattoo.
The tattoo, which is a tribute to his family, seemingly omitted the name of his beloved dog, Hurley, leading to some discontent among his followers. Clarifying the situation, Ant wrote, “Glad you loved the tattoo as well.
For all you dog lovers who asked why my beloved Hurley wasn’t on the family tree…he was!! He was just covered by our newborn.
All my love, gratitude and heartfelt thanks, A.” He also shared a photo of the tattoo on Instagram, clearly showing Hurley’s name on the design.
Fallout from Past Relationships
The joyous news of Wilder’s birth came amidst ongoing personal challenges. Ant’s ex-wife, Lisa, has reportedly vowed to fight for full custody of their pet Labrador, Hurley.
The couple, who divorced in 2018 after 11 years of marriage, had an agreement for joint custody of Hurley.
However, following Ant’s marriage to Anne-Marie and the birth of his son, Lisa has renewed her determination to secure sole custody of the dog, who she often refers to affectionately as “Mama’s baby boy” on social media.
Ant’s Journey to Fatherhood
Ant’s path to fatherhood has been a topic of interest for years. He and Lisa had struggled to conceive, and Ant had openly discussed their desire for children during their marriage.
In a 2013 interview with Radio Times, he shared, “Lisa and I would love to have kids.
We’re trying. It’s tougher than you think when you get a bit older.” The arrival of Wilder with Anne-Marie is a significant milestone for Ant, who is overjoyed at becoming a father.
Reaction from Friends and Fans
Following the announcement of Wilder’s birth, Ant received an outpouring of congratulations from friends and fans.
Celebrities such as Jamie Redknapp, Davina McCall, and Alesha Dixon expressed their delight at the news.
Ant himself shared a heartfelt Instagram post, cradling his newborn and 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 Custody Battle Over Hurley
Since their split, Lisa has had Hurley as a constant source of comfort. Reports indicate that she finds it difficult to understand why she cannot have full custody of the dog, given Ant’s new responsibilities.
Sources close to Lisa suggest that Hurley has been a lifeline for her, especially during difficult times.
Despite her feelings of betrayal, particularly with the announcement of Ant’s new child, Lisa remains steadfast in her desire to keep Hurley by her side.
Ant’s Struggles and Resilience
Ant’s life has not been without its challenges. His struggles with prescription drug addiction and alcohol were publicly revealed following a car accident and subsequent drink-driving charge in 2018.
This tumultuous period also saw his separation from Lisa and a stint in rehab.
Despite these setbacks, Ant has worked hard to rebuild his life and career, culminating in his recent joy of becoming a father.
Taking a Break from Saturday Night Takeaway
In light of these personal developments, Ant and Dec decided to pause their popular show, Saturday Night Takeaway, after its 20th series.
They cited the need to spend more time with their families and reassess their future projects. In a candid interview with Fault Magazine, Ant explained, “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.”
Looking Ahead
As Ant embraces his new role as a father, he continues to navigate the complexities of his past and present relationships.
The birth of his son Wilder marks a new chapter in his life, filled with both joy and challenges.
Ant’s resilience and dedication to his family and career remain evident as he moves forward, cherishing the support from his fans and friends.
This story highlights the personal and professional journey of a beloved television personality, underscoring the multifaceted nature of life in the public eye.
TDPel Media
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