Ant McPartlin's adorable 4-word statement over baby's birth
Ant McPartlin already knows what it's like to be a step-dad, as his wife Anne-Marie has two daughters from her previous marriage.
But now the Britain's Got Talent presenter, 49, is set to welcome a baby of his own with his 48 year old former PA, three years after the pair married in a beautiful, star-studded ceremony.
There's no doubt he'll have been taking some parenting tips from his best pal Declan Donnelly, who already has two kids himself. Dec's wife Ali Astall gave birth to their first child, daughter Isla Elizabeth Anne in September 2018, and the pair then welcomed a son, Jack Anthony Alphonsus, in July 2022.
But it was Ant's simple, four-word statement that melted hearts when Isla was born, as he said: "I love you already!"
He posted a comment to Twitter after Dec shared the news of Isla's birth, saying: "Welcome to the world baby Isla Elizabeth Anne. Can’t wait for cuddles. I love you already!! Uncle Ant xxxxx."
One fan expressed their delight at Ant's comment, saying: "Okay I seriously just stopped crying and now I’ve started again... thanks Ant."
Dec had announced Isla's arrival with a sweet post, saying: ""Ali and I are thrilled to announce the arrival of our baby girl, Isla Elizabeth Anne, who was born just after 9 o’clock this morning."
He added: "Mother and daughter both doing well, Dad is head over heels! D x"
Earlier that year, sources close to the duo had said Ant was struggling with Dec's baby news because he always wanted children himself.
Ant had recently split from wife, TV make-up artist Lisa Armstrong, and was in treatment for his drink and drug addictions.
Things turned a corner when, later on that year, Ant and Anne-Marie were spotted out and about together. They were first linked romantically in June 2018.
In 2019, the couple’s relationship went from strength to strength and they moved into a £6 million mansion in Wimbledon.
Following two years of dating, a besotted Ant got down on one knee and proposed to Anne-Marie on Christmas Eve in 2020.
Speaking of the engagement, Ant told Digital Spy: “It was a lovely way to end the year. I'm a romantic at heart. You know, there were flowers, and afternoon tea in front of the Christmas tree. Lovely. It was lovely.”
The loved-up couple got married the following summer at St Michael's Church in Hampshire, with beaming bride Anne-Marie opting for a stunning one shoulder gown.
Given their close bond, Dec was Ant’s best man on the day, with other guests including Frank Lampard and wife Christine Lampard and Britain's Got Talent judge David Walliams.
When Dec welcomed his son with Ali in 2022, he paid tribute to Ant when they shared his name. The presenter posted on the official Ant and Dec Twitter account: "Shortly before 10am yesterday, 23.7.2022, Ali and I welcomed the arrival of our son, Jack Anthony Alphonsus, a very welcome ray of light. He is wonderful, and Isla is beyond excited to be a big sister! D x."
Britain's Got Talent continues on ITV1 and ITVX on Saturday night, 18 May, at 7.30pm
