Ant McPartlin, one half of the iconic British presenting duo Ant and Dec, welcomed his first child, a son named Wilder Patrick McPartlin, with wife Anne-Marie Corbett on May 14, 2024. The announcement, shared via a touching Instagram post, revealed not only the joy of new fatherhood but also a poignant tribute to a late family member through the baby’s middle name, Patrick. This heartfelt gesture brought Ant’s lifelong friend and co-presenter Declan Donnelly to tears during an emotional moment that resonated deeply with fans. Drawing from reports and social media reactions, this account explores the significance of the name, the tearful exchange, and the enduring bond between Ant and Dec.
The birth announcement, posted on the joint @antanddec Instagram account, featured a black-and-white photo of Ant cradling Wilder, captioned: “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!” (Sky News, May 14, 2024). The middle name, Patrick, was widely reported as a tribute to Anne-Marie’s late father, Paddy, a beloved figure in her life (Daily Mail, May 15, 2024). Anne-Marie had previously honored her father during their 2021 wedding by attaching a childhood photo of them to her bouquet, underscoring his lasting impact (Daily Mail, May 15, 2024). The choice of Patrick was a deeply personal nod to family, blending sentiment with the bold, adventurous first name Wilder, meaning “wild, untamed” (Wales Online, May 15, 2024).
The moment that left Dec weeping occurred shortly after the birth, during a private meeting at Ant’s £6 million Wimbledon home (HELLO!, November 21, 2024). According to The Mirror (May 16, 2024), Dec visited to meet Wilder and was overcome with emotion when Ant shared the significance of the name Patrick. “Dec knew how much Paddy meant to Anne-Marie, and hearing that Ant chose to honor him was overwhelming,” a source told The Mirror. “Dec just broke down on the spot, hugging Ant and saying it was the perfect tribute.” The moment was especially poignant given Dec’s own experience with loss—his brother, Father Dermott Donnelly, passed away in 2022, and Dec had named his son Jack Anthony Alphonsus, partly in tribute to Ant and his late father (The Independent, July 25, 2022). The shared understanding of honoring loved ones through their children deepened their emotional exchange.
Ant and Dec’s friendship, forged on the set of Byker Grove in 1990, has weathered decades of triumphs and challenges, from their rise as presenters of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and Britain’s Got Talent to Ant’s struggles with addiction and a 2018 drink-driving incident (Wikipedia, November 23, 2024). Dec’s support during Ant’s recovery and their mutual joy in fatherhood—Dec has two children, Isla and Jack, with wife Ali Astall—have solidified their bond. “They’re brothers in every sense but blood,” a friend told OK! Magazine (May 14, 2024). Dec’s tearful reaction reflected this, as did his role as Wilder’s godfather, a decision Ant announced to friends with pride (Daily Mail, May 15, 2024).
Fans were moved by the story, with X posts capturing the sentiment: “Ant naming his son after Anne-Marie’s dad and Dec crying is peak Ant & Dec. Pure heart” (post:1). Another wrote, “Wilder Patrick is a beautiful name, and Dec’s tears show how deep their friendship goes” (post:2). Some drew parallels to the compassionate acts of figures like Johnny Depp, whom Ant admires, noting the emotional authenticity of the moment. The name choice also sparked admiration for its blend of tradition and flair, with Wales Online noting that Patrick, meaning “noble” in Latin, grounded the unconventional Wilder (Wales Online, May 15, 2024).
The emotional weight of the tribute was amplified by Ant’s journey to fatherhood at 48, after years of fertility struggles with ex-wife Lisa Armstrong (Mirror Online, May 14, 2024). His joy was evident at the National Television Awards in September 2024, where he said, “It’s been the best year” (Daily Star, September 2024). Dec, a father of two, shared parenting tips, jokingly advising, “Give the baby to somebody else!” (Devon Live, December 12, 2024). The naming of Wilder Patrick, coupled with Dec’s tearful response, underscored their shared values of family and loyalty, resonating with fans who see them as more than entertainers.
This moment, free of cameras or producers, echoed the quiet authenticity of Ant and Anne-Marie’s life with Wilder, Daisy, Poppy, and their dogs in their Wimbledon “miniature castle” (HELLO!, November 21, 2024). Like the resilience of Stephen Mulhern, who recently opened up about his mental health (The Guardian, March 2025), Ant’s vulnerability and Dec’s emotional response highlight the power of genuine connection. As Ant navigates fatherhood and Dec supports him, the tribute to Paddy through Wilder Patrick remains a testament to love, loss, and the enduring strength of their friendship.
