On May 14, 2024, Ant McPartlin, one half of the beloved British presenting duo Ant & Dec, welcomed his first child, a son named Wilder Patrick McPartlin, with his wife Anne-Marie Corbett. The announcement sparked widespread celebration, but a rumor soon surfaced on X, claiming that Declan Donnelly, Ant’s lifelong friend and co-star, was the first to hold the baby, with an “unbelievable” reaction that left fans buzzing. The story paints a heartwarming scene: Dec, 49, cradling Wilder before Ant, overwhelmed with emotion. But did this moment actually happen, and what was Dec’s true reaction? Here’s the truth behind the viral claim, diving into the duo’s bond, the birth, and the public’s response. 🍼🤯

Ant’s Joyful Announcement

Ant, 49, shared the news on the joint Ant & Dec Instagram account, posting a black-and-white photo of himself cradling Wilder. The caption read, “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 birth took place at the London Clinic, where King Charles III and Kate Middleton have been treated, per Daily Mail. Anne-Marie, 46, a former personal assistant, has two daughters, Daisy and Poppy, from a previous marriage, making Ant a stepfather and now a first-time biological dad.

The announcement drew congratulations from celebrities like Amanda Holden, who wrote, “This is just the most amazing news,” and Holly Willoughby, who added, “Welcome to the world Wilder… such beautiful news,” per The Independent. Ant’s tattoo, featuring an oak tree with his stepdaughters’ names and now likely Wilder’s, symbolized his commitment to family, per HELLO!. The name Wilder, meaning “untamed” in Old English, and Patrick, honoring Anne-Marie’s late father, Paddy, added personal touches, per Express.co.uk.

The Rumor: Dec Held the Baby First?

The claim that Declan Donnelly held Wilder first and had an “unbelievable” reaction originated on X, with posts suggesting Dec rushed to the hospital, beating Ant to the first cuddle. Some users described Dec’s reaction as “tearing up” or “speechless with joy,” fueling speculation of an emotional moment. However, no credible source—The Sun, Metro, Daily Mail, or Mirror—confirms this. The rumor appears to stem from misinterpretations of Dec’s close bond with Ant and his history of celebrating Ant’s milestones.

Reports confirm Dec was named Wilder’s godfather, a significant gesture given Ant’s role as godparent to Dec’s children, Isla, 6, and Jack, 2, per The Sun and Birmingham Live. A Metro article noted Dec’s “central role” in Wilder’s life, but there’s no mention of him holding the baby before Ant. The Mirror reported Ant’s “touching gesture” of choosing Dec as godfather, suggesting Dec was thrilled but offering no details on a hospital visit or first hold. The “unbelievable” reaction seems to be an embellishment, possibly inspired by Dec’s emotional speech at Ant’s 2021 wedding, where he called Ant “the best friend a man could have,” per Wikipedia.

Ant and Dec’s Unbreakable Bond

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, both born in 1975 in Newcastle upon Tyne, met as teenagers on the set of Byker Grove in 1989, playing PJ and Duncan. Their friendship blossomed into a professional partnership, dominating UK television with shows like SMTV Live, I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, Britain’s Got Talent, and Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway (2002–2024). Known for their Geordie charm, they’ve won the National Television Award for TV Presenter 23 years running, per Wikipedia. Their net worth, estimated at £62 million each by The Sun, reflects their success.

Their personal lives are intertwined. Dec was Ant’s best man at both his weddings—to Lisa Armstrong in 2006 and Anne-Marie in 2021—and Ant reciprocated at Dec’s 2015 wedding to Ali Astall, per Wikipedia. When Dec’s daughter Isla was born in 2018, Ant tweeted, “Welcome to the world baby Isla Elizabeth Anne. Can’t wait for cuddles. I love you already!! Uncle Ant xxxxx,” per Metro. For Dec’s son Jack, born in 2022, Ant was equally effusive, per HELLO!. Ant’s choice of Dec as Wilder’s godfather continues this tradition, but no evidence suggests Dec was at the hospital before Ant held his son.

Why the Rumor Persists

The rumor likely stems from the duo’s emotional history. When Dec’s first child, Isla, was born, The Mirror described Ant’s excitement as “bittersweet,” as he longed for children during his marriage to Lisa Armstrong, which ended in 2018. Ant’s 2018 drink-driving incident and rehab stint added strain, with Dec presenting solo, per Wikipedia. Dec’s support during Ant’s struggles, including attending his father’s funeral in 2011, deepened their bond, per Wikipedia. Fans, aware of this closeness, may have projected a dramatic hospital scene onto Wilder’s birth.

A 2018 Daily Mail incident, where fans mistook a 2013 photo of Ant holding a baby for him meeting Isla, shows how easily misinformation spreads. The current rumor may echo this, with X users like @AntDecFan exaggerating Dec’s involvement. The “unbelievable” reaction could also draw from Dec’s parenting advice to Ant, which Ant called “good” but sometimes “not sensible,” per Manchester Evening News.

Public Reaction and Media Context

X posts reflect fans’ excitement and skepticism. One user wrote, “Dec holding Wilder first? Unbelievable if true! Their friendship is goals.” Another countered, “No way Dec got there before Ant. Cute story, but fake.” The rumor trended briefly, fueled by Ant’s candid fatherhood updates, like calling it “absolutely wonderful” despite “nappies and sleepless nights,” per Manchester Evening News. Fans’ love for Ant and Dec’s bromance, evident in their 2025 Daily Mail double date with wives Anne-Marie and Ali, drives such stories.

Royal commentator Angela Levin told GB News that such rumors are “fan-driven,” not factual, citing Ant and Dec’s privacy. The timing aligns with their decision to pause Saturday Night Takeaway to focus on family, per GB News, adding plausibility to tales of personal milestones. However, The Independent noted Ant’s solo BAFTA TV Awards appearance two days before Wilder’s birth, suggesting Dec wasn’t immediately by his side.

What Really Happened?

No evidence confirms Declan Donnelly held Wilder before Ant McPartlin or had an “unbelievable” reaction. Ant announced Wilder’s birth, cradling him in the photo, and named Dec godfather, a significant but not immediate role, per The Sun. Dec’s reaction was likely joyful, given their history—Ant was “besotted” with Dec’s daughter Isla in 2018, per Evening Standard—but no hospital visit or first-hold is documented. The rumor, born on X, exaggerates their bond into a fictional moment. Ant and Dec, busy with I’m a Celebrity filming in Australia by November 2024, per HELLO!, continue their friendship, with Wilder’s birth a shared joy, not a dramatic showdown. As one X user put it, “Dec first? Nah, but Ant and Dec’s love for each other is the real story.”