In early 2025, a wave of excitement swept through social media as rumors surfaced that Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, the beloved British TV duo known as Ant & Dec, are set to launch a new show dedicated to their children, with an air date that has fans buzzing. The speculated program, reportedly a family-oriented venture inspired by their roles as fathers, is said to mark a heartfelt shift for the presenters, who paused their long-running Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway to focus on family. The rumored air date, pegged for late 2025, has sparked intrigue, with fans calling it a “game-changer” for the duo’s legacy. But what’s the truth behind this announcement, and why does the air date have fans on edge? Here’s a deep dive into the rumor, their fatherhood journeys, and the significance of this potential project. 👨‍👧‍👦📺

Ant and Dec’s Family Lives

Ant McPartlin, 49, welcomed his first child, Wilder Patrick McPartlin, on May 14, 2024, with wife Anne-Marie Corbett, 46. Ant shared the news on their joint Instagram, posting a photo cradling Wilder and writing, “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!” The post revealed a tattoo honoring Anne-Marie, her daughters Daisy, 15, and Poppy, 13, from a previous marriage, and their dog. Ant, a stepfather to Daisy and Poppy, has embraced fatherhood, describing it as “wonderful” despite sleepless nights.

Declan Donnelly, also 49, is father to Isla, 6, and Jack, 2, with wife Ali Astall, whom he married in 2015. Dec announced Isla’s birth in 2018, sharing a photo of her tiny hand and writing, “Ali and I are thrilled to announce the arrival of our baby girl, Isla Elizabeth Anne.” In 2022, he revealed Jack’s arrival, noting his middle names, Anthony and Alphonsus, honored Ant and Dec’s late father. Dec has kept his children private, sharing only birth announcement photos, reflecting his desire to shield them from the spotlight.

Their fatherhood journeys have deepened their bond, forged in 1989 on Byker Grove. Ant, Dec’s best man in 2015, and Dec, Ant’s best man in 2006 and 2021, have intertwined family milestones, with Dec as Wilder’s godfather. Their decision to pause Saturday Night Takeaway in 2024, after 22 years, was driven by a need to “spend time with our family,” as Ant told GB News, citing his and Dec’s growing responsibilities as dads.

The Rumor: A Show for Their Kids

The rumor, sparked on social media in 2025, claims Ant and Dec are developing a show dedicated to their children—Wilder, Isla, and Jack—described as a family-friendly program blending entertainment with lessons inspired by their parenting experiences. Posts suggest the show will feature the duo engaging with kids, possibly including their own in cameo roles, and focus on themes like creativity and teamwork. The rumored air date, speculated as November 2025, aligns with ITV’s holiday season, a slot that has fans excited for its potential to cap the duo’s 30-year TV legacy with a personal touch.

However, no official confirmation from ITV, Ant, or Dec has surfaced. The rumor appears to stem from fan enthusiasm and their announced hiatus, which fueled speculation about new projects. Past ventures, like Ant & Dec’s DNA Journey in 2019, a two-part ITV special exploring their ancestry, show their willingness to take creative risks. That series, aired in November, uncovered Dec’s American cousins and Ant’s Irish roots, earning praise for its emotional depth. Fans now speculate a kids’ show could follow a similar personal narrative, leveraging their SMTV Live roots in children’s TV.

Why the Air Date Matters

The rumored November 2025 air date has fans buzzing for several reasons:

Holiday Season Slot: November aligns with ITV’s peak family viewing period, ideal for a show aimed at kids and parents. A festive launch could echo their I’m a Celebrity success, drawing massive audiences.

Post-Hiatus Return: After pausing Saturday Night Takeaway, a late-2025 debut would mark a triumphant return, showcasing their evolution from entertainers to family men.

Milestone Year: 2025 marks their 30th year as a duo, making a kids’ show a fitting tribute to their legacy and new chapter as fathers.

Social media posts amplify the excitement, with one fan writing, “Ant & Dec doing a kids’ show for Wilder, Isla, and Jack in Nov 2025? I’m crying already!” Another noted, “That air date feels like they’re planning something huge.” Yet, skeptics question the timeline, pointing out ITV’s packed schedule and the duo’s Britain’s Got Talent and I’m a Celebrity commitments.

Ant and Dec’s History with Children’s TV

The duo’s early career lends credibility to the rumor. After meeting on Byker Grove, they transitioned to children’s TV with The Ant & Dec Show on BBC1 and Ant & Dec Unzipped on Channel 4, before dominating ITV’s SMTV Live (1998–2001) alongside Cat Deeley. The Saturday morning hit mixed comedy, music, and cartoons, earning BAFTAs and cementing their appeal to young audiences. Their production company, Mitre Television, also produced SMTV Live, showing their knack for crafting kid-friendly content.

A new show could revisit this expertise, tailored to their children’s ages (Wilder, 1; Isla, 6; Jack, 2). Fans imagine segments like storytelling or games, reflecting Ant and Dec’s playful dynamic. Their charity work, including supporting ChildLine and opening the W4 Youth Centre in 2013, suggests a genuine interest in kids’ welfare, adding plausibility to a family-oriented project.

Why the Rumor Lacks Confirmation

Despite the buzz, several factors cast doubt:

No Official Announcement: ITV, Ant, and Dec haven’t confirmed a kids’ show. Past projects, like Limitless Win (launched January 2022), were announced with clear timelines, unlike this vague rumor.

Busy Schedules: In 2025, Ant and Dec are filming Britain’s Got Talent and I’m a Celebrity, plus promoting Limitless Win. A new show by November seems ambitious.

Privacy Concerns: Dec’s efforts to keep Isla and Jack private and Ant’s cautious approach to Wilder’s exposure suggest they’d avoid featuring their kids on TV.

Source Reliability: The rumor stems from social media, not credible outlets. Similar stories, like a second child for Ant, were debunked, as Wilder is his only child.

The rumor may reflect fans’ desire for a family-focused project, amplified by their Saturday Night Takeaway hiatus and Ant’s emotional baby announcement. Their 2025 activities, like a double date with their wives, show their focus on family, fueling speculation.

What Could the Show Look Like?

If real, the show might blend SMTV Live’s humor with modern family entertainment, like CBBC’s Blue Peter. Possible elements include:

Kid-Friendly Segments: Games or challenges teaching teamwork, inspired by their children’s playtime.

Parenting Insights: Lighthearted tips from Ant and Dec, drawing on their dad experiences.

Guest Stars: Celebrities like Amanda Holden or Alesha Dixon, who praised Wilder’s birth, could appear with their kids.

Newcastle Nod: A football-themed segment, reflecting their Newcastle United fandom, evident in their 2025 EFL Cup parade.

The show would likely air on ITV, produced by Mitre Television, and target a primetime family slot. However, their kids’ involvement would be minimal, given their privacy stance.

Public Reaction and Context

Social media reflects excitement, with fans posting, “A kids’ show from Ant & Dec? November 2025 can’t come soon enough!” Others are skeptical, saying, “Sounds sweet, but I’ll believe it when ITV confirms.” The rumor aligns with their family focus, seen in Ant’s paternity leave and Dec’s Australian filming without his kids. Their 30-year friendship, highlighted in Ant & Dec’s DNA Journey, adds emotional weight to a kids’ show concept.

Commentators call the rumor “fan-driven,” noting the duo’s private family lives. Similar tales, like Dec shopping for Wilder’s toys, were unverified, suggesting caution.

What’s the Truth?

No evidence confirms Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly are launching a show dedicated to their kids in November 2025. The rumor, born on social media, reflects fans’ love for their fatherhood journeys but lacks ITV backing. Their SMTV Live history and charity work make a kids’ show plausible, but their busy schedules and privacy concerns cast doubt. Ant and Dec, thriving on Britain’s Got Talent and I’m a Celebrity, continue to balance family and fame. As one fan put it, “A kids’ show sounds amazing, but their real legacy is making us smile for 30 years.”