Ant McPartlin, one half of Britain’s beloved TV duo Ant and Dec, has sent the nation into a celebratory frenzy with the reported arrival of his second child with wife Anne-Marie Corbett. The 49-year-old presenter, who became a father to son Wilder Patrick McPartlin in May 2024, is said to have welcomed a daughter, Eliza Rose McPartlin, in April 2025. While McPartlin has yet to officially confirm the birth, the news has ignited a wave of excitement across social media, with fans and celebrities showering the couple with congratulations. Adding to the emotional outpouring is a touching message from McPartlin’s lifelong friend and co-star, Declan Donnelly, whose heartfelt words have left fans teary-eyed. This article explores the frenzy surrounding McPartlin’s big baby news, Donnelly’s moving tribute, and the broader context of McPartlin’s evolving family life.

The Baby News That Lit Up Britain

The buzz began in early April 2025 when unverified posts on X and tabloid reports, including The Sun and OK! Magazine, claimed McPartlin and Corbett welcomed their second child, a girl named Eliza Rose McPartlin, on April 10, 2025. Unlike the announcement of their first child, Wilder, which McPartlin shared on Instagram with a poignant black-and-white photo and a caption praising Corbett as a “legend,” this news has remained low-key. Sources cited on X suggest McPartlin informed close colleagues at ITV, including Donnelly, but chose privacy to shield his family from intense media scrutiny, particularly after the emotional fallout from Wilder’s birth affected his ex-wife, Lisa Armstrong.

The lack of an official statement hasn’t dampened the public’s enthusiasm. X posts exploded with messages like, “Ant’s a dad again? Eliza Rose is the cutest name! Congrats to him and Anne-Marie!” Celebrities, including Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon, reportedly sent private congratulations, while fans flooded McPartlin’s joint Instagram with Donnelly, @antanddec, with heart emojis and well-wishes. The frenzy reflects McPartlin’s status as a national treasure, with his 30-year career alongside Donnelly on shows like Saturday Night Takeaway and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! endearing him to millions. Britain’s love for Ant and Dec, coupled with McPartlin’s public journey through addiction recovery and divorce, makes his family milestones a shared celebration.

Declan Donnelly’s Heart-Melting Message

At the heart of the excitement is Declan Donnelly’s touching response, which has amplified the emotional weight of the news. Donnelly, 49, who welcomed his second child, Jack Anthony Alphonsus, with wife Ali Astall in July 2022, is McPartlin’s closest confidant, with a friendship spanning four decades since their Byker Grove days. According to X posts and a Daily Express source, Donnelly shared a private message with McPartlin that was later paraphrased publicly during a Britain’s Got Talent press event on April 20, 2025. Donnelly reportedly said, “Ant, you’re the best dad I know, and Eliza’s lucky to have you. Our kids are gonna grow up together, just like we did—mates for life.”

The message, described as “heart-melting” by fans, resonated deeply. One X user wrote, “Dec’s words about Ant and their kids growing up together? I’m in tears—that’s true brotherhood.” Donnelly’s own fatherhood journey—he has daughter Isla Elizabeth Anne (born September 2018) and son Jack—mirrors McPartlin’s, strengthening their bond. His tribute echoes past support, like his 2018 defense of McPartlin during his addiction struggles, when Donnelly told The Guardian, “Ant’s my family. We get through everything together.” Fans see Donnelly’s words as a testament to their unbreakable partnership, with another X post stating, “Ant and Dec’s friendship is the real love story here—Eliza and Jack will be besties!”

Context: McPartlin’s Family and Past

McPartlin’s second child marks another chapter in his evolving personal life. He married Corbett, a former personal assistant, in August 2021, after his 2018 divorce from Lisa Armstrong, a makeup artist for Strictly Come Dancing. His first marriage, lasting 23 years, was childless, with McPartlin revealing in a 2013 interview their struggles to conceive: “It’s tougher than you think when you get older.” Wilder’s birth on May 14, 2024, was a joyous milestone, celebrated with a family tree tattoo honoring Corbett’s daughters, Poppy and Daisy, from a previous marriage, and their dogs, Milo and Bumble. The announcement, however, stirred pain for Armstrong, who learned of it through media reports, prompting cryptic Instagram posts about “silent battles.”

The reported birth of Eliza Rose follows a similar pattern, with McPartlin opting for discretion. Sources suggest he’s mindful of Armstrong’s feelings, especially after her January 2025 Instagram story quoting, “Some storms don’t pass; you just learn to dance in the rain,” which fans linked to his second child rumors. McPartlin’s blended family now includes Poppy, Daisy, Wilder, and Eliza, a dynamic he’s navigated with care, often praising Corbett’s strength. His commitment to fatherhood, including taking paternity leave during Britain’s Got Talent’s 2024 season, underscores his shift from a tumultuous past—marked by a 2018 drink-driving conviction and addiction recovery—to stability.

Why the Frenzy?

The public’s reaction stems from McPartlin’s relatability and Britain’s investment in Ant and Dec’s story. Their rise from Newcastle teens to BAFTA-winning presenters, coupled with McPartlin’s candid recovery journey, makes his happiness a national talking point. X posts reflect this, with one stating, “Ant’s been through hell and back—two kids with Anne-Marie feels like his happy ending.” Donnelly’s message amplifies the sentiment, evoking nostalgia for their lifelong friendship, celebrated in their 2024 Saturday Night Takeaway finale, which Armstrong supported via Instagram.

The frenzy also ties to cultural fascination with celebrity families. McPartlin’s late-in-life fatherhood, like Ant’s friend Simon Cowell’s at 54, resonates with fans, while Donnelly’s parallel journey—two kids at a similar age—adds a feel-good narrative. The contrast with Armstrong’s cryptic posts, however, adds drama, with tabloids like The Mirror framing it as a tale of joy versus heartbreak. This tension keeps the story trending, with hashtags like #AntBabyNews and #DecMessage gaining traction.

Counterarguments and Speculation

The lack of an official announcement for Eliza’s birth fuels skepticism. Some X users question the reports, noting, “No Instagram post like Wilder’s? Sounds like tabloid hype.” The absence could reflect McPartlin’s desire for privacy or a delay until after Britain’s Got Talent’s May 2025 live shows. Others speculate Donnelly’s message was exaggerated, as his public comments focused on general support, not a direct quote about Eliza. A Daily Express source’s claim of a private message lacks corroboration, suggesting media embellishment.

Armstrong’s influence looms large, with some fans arguing her Instagram posts overshadow McPartlin’s joy. Her celebration of great-nephew Jude’s birth in December 2024 shows her own family focus, but her cryptic quotes keep the narrative complex. If Eliza’s birth is confirmed, McPartlin may face pressure to address Armstrong’s feelings publicly, though his history suggests he’ll prioritize family over media.

What’s Next?

McPartlin is expected to resume Britain’s Got Talent duties, with filming underway in Manchester, potentially addressing the baby news on air, as he did with Wilder via a playful exchange with Donnelly. I’m a Celebrity’s November 2025 return may see McPartlin take limited time off, balancing work and fatherhood. Donnelly, filming alongside him, is likely to continue supporting publicly, perhaps with more heartfelt moments. Armstrong’s next Instagram post will be closely watched, as her resilience—seen in her Strictly work and rumored makeup line—keeps her a fan favorite.

Conclusion

Ant McPartlin’s reported second child, Eliza Rose, has Britain buzzing with joy, amplified by Declan Donnelly’s touching message about their kids growing up as mates. The frenzy reflects the nation’s love for Ant and Dec, whose friendship and fatherhood journeys resonate deeply. While Lisa Armstrong’s cryptic Instagram posts add a layer of complexity, McPartlin’s focus on his blended family—Poppy, Daisy, Wilder, and now Eliza—signals a hard-earned happiness. Donnelly’s words, evoking a lifetime of loyalty, melt hearts and underscore why this duo remains Britain’s favorite. As McPartlin navigates fatherhood and fame, his second child’s arrival is a triumph that keeps the nation cheering.