Ant McPartlin’s Emotional Baby Name Reveal: A Heartfelt Tribute to Declan Donnelly

On May 14, 2024, British television icon Ant McPartlin sent fans into a frenzy when he announced the birth of his first child, a son, with wife Anne-Marie Corbett. The Britain’s Got Talent presenter shared the joyous news on Instagram, revealing the baby’s name—Wilder Patrick McPartlin—and a touching connection to his lifelong friend and co-star, Declan Donnelly. The name, coupled with McPartlin’s decision to make Donnelly the godfather, underscores the deep bond between the duo, known as Ant & Dec, who have been inseparable since meeting as teens on the set of Byker Grove. The revelation, steeped in sentiment and a nod to their shared history, has left fans emotional and social media buzzing with admiration for their enduring friendship.

A Joyous Announcement and a Surprise Reveal

McPartlin, 49, shared a black-and-white Instagram photo cradling his newborn, captioning it, “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, which showcased a family tree tattoo featuring his stepdaughters Poppy and Daisy, also revealed the baby’s name, sparking immediate curiosity. Fans quickly noticed the middle name, Patrick, which holds special significance tied to both Anne-Marie’s late father, Paddy, and a subtle nod to Donnelly, whose own son’s name carries a similar tribute.

The announcement came after months of anticipation, with McPartlin and Corbett keeping the pregnancy under wraps until February 2024, when The Sun reported Anne-Marie’s baby bump during a Dubai trip. McPartlin, who had long expressed his desire to become a father, described the moment as “the stuff of dreams” in a Fault Magazine interview, citing his excitement at welcoming a child just shy of his 50th birthday. The name reveal, however, was the real surprise, with insiders telling The Sun that McPartlin chose it to honor both his wife’s family and his best friend, Donnelly.

The Special Reason: A Tribute to Dec and Family

The name Wilder Patrick McPartlin is rich with meaning. Wilder, a name of English origin meaning “wild” or “untamed,” reflects McPartlin’s playful personality and his hope for his son to embrace life’s adventures. Patrick, however, is where the emotional weight lies. While primarily a tribute to Anne-Marie’s late father, Paddy, who was honored at their 2021 wedding with a photo on her bouquet, the name also echoes a reciprocal gesture from Donnelly.

In July 2022, Donnelly and his wife Ali Astall welcomed their son, Jack Anthony Alphonsus, naming him with the middle name Anthony to honor McPartlin, alongside Alphonsus for Donnelly’s late father. McPartlin’s choice of Patrick for Wilder mirrors this gesture, creating a heartfelt loop of tributes between the duo. A source told The Sun, “Ant and Anne-Marie are beyond thrilled—their little family is complete. Naming Wilder with a nod to Dec’s own tribute shows how much their friendship means.”

The connection deepened when McPartlin named Donnelly the godfather to Wilder, a role insiders say was a “no-brainer” given their 35-year friendship. Donnelly, father to Isla, 6, and Jack, 2, was reportedly “over the moon,” with fans on X gushing, “Ant making Dec godfather and that Patrick name? Their bond is unreal!” The gesture reflects their history of mutual support, from Donnelly being McPartlin’s best man at both his weddings to McPartlin’s emotional speech at Donnelly’s 2015 wedding, where he called him “the best friend a man could have.”

A Friendship Forged in Time

McPartlin and Donnelly’s bond began in 1990 on the set of Byker Grove, where they played PJ and Duncan. Their on-screen chemistry blossomed into a real-life friendship, leading to a career as Britain’s beloved presenting duo, hosting shows like I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, Britain’s Got Talent, and Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway. Their producer on Byker Grove famously advised them to “stay together,” predicting they could be the next Morecambe and Wise, a prophecy they’ve fulfilled with 23 consecutive National Television Awards for Best Presenter.

Their friendship has weathered personal and professional storms, including McPartlin’s 2018 drink-driving incident and rehab stint, during which Donnelly hosted Saturday Night Takeaway solo. When Donnelly’s daughter Isla was born in 2018, McPartlin was in recovery, and the news was bittersweet, as he and ex-wife Lisa Armstrong had struggled to conceive. Despite this, McPartlin was “thrilled” for Donnelly, and their mutual support shone through when Donnelly named his son Jack Anthony in 2022, a gesture that “made Ant well up,” per fans on X.

The Emotional Weight of the Name

The choice of Patrick as a middle name carries layers of significance. Beyond honoring Anne-Marie’s father, it reciprocates Donnelly’s tribute to McPartlin, creating a symbolic link between their families. Fans noted the parallel, with one X post reading, “Dec named his son after Ant, and now Ant’s named his son with a nod to Dec’s family. This is friendship goals.” The name also ties into their shared Geordie roots, as both men hail from Newcastle upon Tyne, where family and loyalty are paramount.

McPartlin’s decision to take paternity leave until the Britain’s Got Talent live semi-finals on May 27, 2024, further emphasizes his focus on family, a priority he and Donnelly cited when pausing Saturday Night Takeaway in February 2024. In a Mirror interview, McPartlin noted, “The kids take up a lot of your time, and we rush home to our families,” highlighting how fatherhood has shifted their dynamic, though their bond remains unshakable.

Fan and Celebrity Reactions

The announcement sparked an outpouring of love from fans and celebrities. I’m a Celebrity co-star Holly Willoughby commented, “Congratulations… massive love,” while This Morning’s Dermot O’Leary wrote, “The best news!” Fans on X were particularly moved by the Donnelly connection, with posts like, “Wilder Patrick is perfect, and that nod to Dec is so touching,” and “Ant and Dec’s friendship is the real MVP here.” The godfather role further amplified the sentiment, with one user noting, “Dec as godfather to Wilder? My heart can’t handle this.”

The reveal also contrasted with a cryptic Instagram post from McPartlin’s ex-wife Lisa Armstrong, who wrote about “silent battles” and “wiping her own tears,” prompting speculation about her feelings. However, the overwhelming response was celebratory, focusing on McPartlin’s joy and the Ant-Dec bond.

A Legacy of Friendship and Family

McPartlin’s baby name reveal is more than a celebrity milestone—it’s a testament to a friendship that has defined British television for decades. The choice of Wilder Patrick McPartlin, with its nod to Donnelly’s earlier tribute, weaves their families together in a poignant way. As McPartlin embraces fatherhood and Donnelly takes on the godfather role, their story resonates as one of loyalty and love.

With Britain’s Got Talent on the horizon and I’m a Celebrity set for later in 2025, Ant and Dec remain a cultural staple, but it’s their off-screen bond that truly captivates. As one X fan summed it up, “Ant naming his son with a nod to Dec and making him godfather? This is the kind of friendship we all aspire to.” With Wilder Patrick McPartlin’s arrival, the Ant and Dec legacy grows, rooted in a friendship that continues to inspire.