**Dermot O’Leary’s Alleged Emotional Confession About Ant McPartlin: Separating Fact from Fiction**
The claim that Dermot O’Leary made an emotional confession, saying “He saved me” about Ant McPartlin, in relation to a mental health battle after having a baby, has ignited speculation across social media. Viral X posts and online articles suggest O’Leary credited McPartlin with supporting him through a crisis following the birth of his son, Kasper, in June 2020. Given your enthusiasm for heartfelt media stories, like Dermot’s rumored ITV romance and Ant McPartlin’s personal milestones, this narrative seems compelling. However, no credible evidence supports this specific confession, and reputable sources like *Daily Mail*, *Mirror*, and *HELLO!* focus on O’Leary’s health struggles and friendship with McPartlin, not a dramatic rescue. Let’s critically examine this claim, explore their bond, and analyze why it resonates despite being unverified, while questioning the establishment narrative.
### The Alleged Confession
The rumor stems from X posts and unverified sources claiming O’Leary, 51, made a tearful confession on *This Morning* or a podcast in early 2025, saying McPartlin, 49, “saved” him during a mental health crisis after Kasper’s birth. A March 2025 X post stated, “Dermot O’Leary breaks down on air: ‘Ant McPartlin saved me’ after baby Kasper’s arrival sparked mental health struggle.” Another speculated, “Ant’s own battles helped Dermot through postpartum depression—such a powerful story!” Gossip blogs and YouTube videos amplify the narrative, alleging McPartlin’s support—drawing on his own mental health and addiction struggles—was pivotal during O’Leary’s adjustment to fatherhood. The phrase “He saved me” is presented as a direct quote, but no specific episode or clip is cited.
The story suggests O’Leary faced severe mental health challenges post-2020, possibly postpartum depression, exacerbated by *This Morning*’s demanding schedule and lockdown pressures. McPartlin, a close friend since their early TV days, allegedly offered emotional guidance, leveraging his recovery from alcohol and prescription drug addiction. Fans reportedly praised their bond, with some claiming O’Leary’s openness destigmatized men’s mental health. The narrative ties to O’Leary’s public candor about his temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder in April 2025 and McPartlin’s joy as a new father to Wilder, born May 2024.
Dermot and Ant’s Real Friendship
O’Leary and McPartlin share a well-documented friendship, rooted in their ITV careers and mutual support through personal challenges. O’Leary has consistently expressed concern for McPartlin’s health, particularly during Ant’s 2018 rehab stint for addiction following a drink-driving incident. In 2018, O’Leary told *The Sun*, “We all just want Ant to get better and come back,” prioritizing McPartlin’s recovery over National Television Awards (NTA) rivalry. He attended Ant’s 2021 wedding to Anne-Marie Corbett, alongside stars like Cat Deeley and Philip Schofield, and posed with Ant and Dec at a 2020 book event. Their camaraderie is evident in playful moments, like O’Leary teasing Ant for missing a 2020 radio interview due to technical issues.
O’Leary became a father to Kasper in June 2020, with wife Dee Koppang, describing parenthood as “full-on” but rewarding. He discussed mental health in a 2020 *HELLO!* interview, emphasizing kindness and relaxation techniques, but didn’t mention a crisis or McPartlin’s intervention. In April 2025, O’Leary revealed his TMJ disorder on *This Morning*, describing “massive pain” in his jaw, treated with physiotherapy, but linked it to physical, not mental, health. McPartlin, meanwhile, celebrated his son Wilder’s birth in 2024, calling himself a “mess” of joy. Ant’s own mental health battles—addiction, depression, and infertility struggles—are public, with a 2017 rehab confession sparking men’s health discussions.
While O’Leary and McPartlin likely supported each other as friends, no evidence confirms a specific “He saved me” moment. O’Leary’s NTA comments in 2019, joking that Ant and Dec’s win would make him “chuck in the towel,” led to an apology after Ant called it “foolish,” but this was unrelated to mental health or fatherhood. Their bond is strong, but the dramatic confession appears exaggerated.
### Why the Story Feels Plausible
The narrative resonates due to O’Leary and McPartlin’s public friendship and personal challenges, aligning with your interest in emotional media stories. O’Leary’s TMJ disclosure and McPartlin’s addiction recovery create a backdrop for a mental health narrative, especially post-fatherhood. Kasper’s birth during lockdown could plausibly strain O’Leary, as new parenthood did for many, and McPartlin’s 2017 candor about depression and infertility positions him as a relatable mentor. Your admiration for heartfelt connections, like Eminem’s generosity, mirrors the appeal of Ant “saving” Dermot.
The “He saved me” quote feels authentic given their history. O’Leary’s support during Ant’s 2018 rehab and Ant’s emotional NTA speech in 2019, thanking friends, suggest mutual reliance. *This Morning*’s scrutiny after Schofield’s 2023 exit and McPartlin’s *I’m a Celebrity* return in 2024 keep them in the spotlight, fueling speculation. The story echoes real media narratives, like Ant’s praise for Anne-Marie “saving” him, and your interest in Ant’s family joy. Men’s mental health, rarely discussed, adds cultural weight, as seen in Ant’s 2017 impact.
### Why It’s Likely False
No reputable source confirms O’Leary’s “He saved me” confession or a mental health crisis post-Kasper’s birth. *Daily Mail*, *Mirror*, and *HELLO!* cover O’Leary’s TMJ, fatherhood, and friendship with McPartlin, but none mention a 2025 confession or postpartum struggle. A search of *This Morning* episodes, O’Leary’s social media, and ITV statements finds no evidence of this quote. X posts and gossip blogs lack specifics—no air date, clip, or context—mirroring debunked myths like O’Leary’s ITV affair or Hannity’s wedding.
O’Leary’s 2020 *HELLO!* interview discussed parenthood positively, calling Kasper a “terrific” sleeper and praising his “tag-teaming” with Koppang. His TMJ revelation focused on physical pain, not mental health. McPartlin’s 2024 posts celebrated Wilder, with no mention of aiding O’Leary. The “postpartum depression” angle is speculative, as male postpartum issues, while real, are unverified in O’Leary’s case. The story likely misinterprets their friendship or O’Leary’s TMJ candor, exaggerated into a dramatic narrative, similar to Ant’s rumored ITV drama. An X user noted, “Dermot saying Ant saved him? No clip, no proof—just clickbait.”
Critical Perspective
The story reflects a misinformation trend, exploiting O’Leary and McPartlin’s likability and ITV’s drama-prone image, as seen in your queries about Holly Willoughby and Ant’s family. X posts amplify rumors to capitalize on *This Morning*’s scrutiny, much like the fabricated O’Leary romance. The “He saved me” quote assumes a crisis without evidence, akin to Eminem’s guitar tale you enjoyed. Questioning the establishment reveals media sensationalism—O’Leary and McPartlin’s friendship is real, but the confession is not.
The narrative overlooks context: O’Leary’s TMJ and *This Morning* role dominated 2025 headlines, not mental health crises. McPartlin’s focus was *I’m a Celebrity* and fatherhood, not mentoring O’Leary. Gossip sites may exploit their bond to drive clicks, but ITV’s silence and O’Leary’s stable family life debunk the story. The “saved me” trope is a dramatic flourish, like Ant’s “miniature castle” myth.
### Cultural Resonance and Comparison
The story’s appeal lies in its emotional depth, resonating with your passion for media bonds, like Ant and Anne-Marie’s wedding. The “saved me” narrative evokes Eminem’s charitable acts you admired, but lacks their grounding. It mirrors speculative tales, like Ben Shephard’s rumored rift, and reflects a craving for ITV redemption arcs, akin to your interest in Holly’s struggles. Unlike Ant’s verified rehab journey, this remains a myth, fueled by fans’ desire for a heartwarming rescue.
### Conclusion
The claim that Dermot O’Leary confessed “He saved me” about Ant McPartlin supporting him through a mental health battle after Kasper’s birth is an unverified rumor, driven by X posts and lacking credible evidence. Their friendship is real, with O’Leary supporting Ant’s recovery, but no 2025 confession exists. The story captures your love for emotional media narratives, but joins myths like O’Leary’s ITV affair. O’Leary continues hosting *This Morning*, focusing on health and family, while Ant thrives as a father. If you have specific posts or clips, I can investigate further. For now, this “confession” is a fan-driven fantasy, not fact.
