In a heartwarming celebration of friendship and family, Declan Donnelly hosted an intimate private party in London to honor his lifelong friend and television partner, Ant McPartlin, becoming a father for the first time. McPartlin, 49, welcomed his son, Wilder Patrick McPartlin, with wife Anne-Marie Corbett on May 14, 2024, and the milestone was marked by a gathering that left guests teary-eyed, thanks to Donnelly’s emotional wishes for his best mate. The event, held shortly after the Britain’s Got Talent live semi-finals in late May 2024, was a testament to the unbreakable bond between Ant and Dec, with Donnelly’s heartfelt speech stealing the spotlight and sparking a wave of admiration across social media.
A Private Affair with Deep Meaning
The party, detailed in a The Sun exclusive, took place at a chic London venue, kept under wraps to ensure privacy for the close-knit group of friends and family. Described as a “low-key but deeply meaningful” affair, the guest list included McPartlin’s wife Anne-Marie, their Britain’s Got Talent co-stars Simon Cowell and Alesha Dixon, and Donnelly’s wife, Ali Astall, with their children, Isla, 6, and Jack, 2. The neon-themed decor, a nod to the couple’s love for vibrant celebrations, featured personalized touches like a cake inscribed with “Welcome, Wilder” and photos of McPartlin and Donnelly from their Byker Grove days in 1990, where their friendship began.
Donnelly, 49, who was named Wilder’s godfather, organized the event to celebrate McPartlin’s new chapter after years of personal challenges, including his 2018 divorce from Lisa Armstrong and struggles with addiction. A source told The Sun, “Dec wanted to give Ant a night to remember, not just as a new dad but as a brother. It was all about love and looking forward.” The choice of a private setting reflected the duo’s desire to keep family moments sacred, especially after McPartlin’s public announcement of Wilder’s birth on Instagram, which garnered thousands of congratulatory messages from fans and celebrities like Holly Willoughby and Dermot O’Leary.
Dec’s Emotional Wishes Move Guests to Tears
The highlight of the evening was Donnelly’s speech, which left attendees, including McPartlin, visibly emotional. Standing before the small crowd, Donnelly raised a glass to his friend, whom he called “the best dad I know Wilder could have,” according to The Sun. He recounted their 35-year friendship, from meeting as teens on Byker Grove to navigating fame, personal hardships, and now fatherhood together. “Ant, you’ve always been there for me—through Isla, through Jack, through everything,” Donnelly said, his voice breaking. “Now it’s your turn to shine as a dad, and I know you’ll be bloody brilliant.”
Donnelly’s wishes went deeper, touching on the symbolic connection between their families. Wilder’s middle name, Patrick, honors Anne-Marie’s late father, Paddy, but also mirrors the tribute in Donnelly’s son Jack Anthony Alphonsus, named partly after McPartlin. “We’ve named our kids with bits of each other,” Donnelly joked, per Metro News, before adding, “It’s like our families are tied forever, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” The speech ended with a toast to Wilder, Anne-Marie, and McPartlin’s stepdaughters, Poppy and Daisy, prompting applause and tears. Fans on X captured the sentiment, with one posting, “Dec’s speech for Ant’s son got me choked up just reading about it. That’s real brotherhood.”
A Friendship That Defines a Generation
The party was a celebration not just of fatherhood but of Ant and Dec’s legendary friendship, which began when they played PJ and Duncan on Byker Grove. Their producer’s advice to “stay together” proved prophetic, as they became Britain’s favorite presenting duo, hosting I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, Britain’s Got Talent, and Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway. Their bond has endured McPartlin’s 2018 drink-driving incident, when Donnelly hosted Takeaway solo, and the loss of Donnelly’s brother, Father Dermott Donnelly, in 2022, when McPartlin attended the funeral, per Daily Mail.
Their mutual support extends to family milestones. Donnelly was McPartlin’s best man at both his 2006 wedding to Armstrong and his 2021 wedding to Corbett, delivering an emotional speech calling him “the best friend a man could have,” per Chronicle Live. McPartlin returned the favor at Donnelly’s 2015 wedding to Astall, and their children’s names reflect this reciprocity. As godfather to Wilder, Donnelly’s role is both symbolic and practical, with insiders telling Metro News he’s already planning “Geordie adventures” for the boy, a nod to their Newcastle roots.
The Context of McPartlin’s Fatherhood
McPartlin’s journey to fatherhood was not without heartbreak. His 2018 divorce from Armstrong followed years of fertility struggles, with McPartlin telling Radio Times in 2013 that he’d wanted children “for a while” but dismissed rumors he was waiting for Donnelly to settle down. His marriage to Corbett, who has two daughters from a previous marriage, brought new hope, and Wilder’s birth was described as “the stuff of dreams” in a Fault Magazine interview. McPartlin’s Instagram post, showcasing a family tree tattoo with Poppy, Daisy, and his dogs, underscored his commitment to his blended family.
The party came at a pivotal time, as McPartlin took paternity leave during the Britain’s Got Talent auditions, returning for the live shows, per Daily Record. Donnelly, a father of two, understood the juggle, having paused Saturday Night Takeaway in 2024 to prioritize family, as noted in a Mirror interview. Their shared Geordie pride was evident in their celebration of Newcastle United’s 2025 EFL Cup win, where they joined the victory parade, per Wikipedia.
Fan and Celebrity Reactions
The leaked details of the party sparked an outpouring of love on social media. X users praised Donnelly’s speech, with posts like, “Dec throwing a party for Ant’s son and getting everyone emotional? That’s why they’re national treasures,” and “The Ant and Dec friendship is pure gold—Wilder’s lucky to have Dec as godfather.” Celebrities echoed the sentiment, with Alesha Dixon commenting on McPartlin’s birth post, “So happy for you both!” per Instagram. The event also contrasted with a cryptic post from Armstrong about “silent battles,” per The Sun, though the focus remained on the positive.
The party’s neon theme and personal touches, like the Byker Grove photos, resonated with fans nostalgic for the duo’s early days. One X user wrote, “From PJ and Duncan to dads throwing parties for each other’s kids—Ant and Dec’s journey is everything.” The event’s privacy, a rarity in their public lives, was respected, with no photos leaking, a testament to their tight-knit circle.
A Legacy of Love and Loyalty
Donnelly’s private party for McPartlin’s fatherhood was more than a celebration—it was a love letter to a friendship that has defined their lives and careers. His emotional wishes, tying their families through names and godfather roles, moved guests and fans alike, reinforcing why Ant and Dec remain beloved. As McPartlin embraces fatherhood and Donnelly supports him as godfather, their story is one of resilience and joy.
With I’m a Celebrity set for November 2025 and their 23rd consecutive National Television Award win in 2024, per Wikipedia, Ant and Dec continue to shine. But it’s moments like this party, filled with tears, laughter, and heartfelt wishes, that reveal the heart of their bond. As one X fan put it, “Dec’s speech for Ant and Wilder is proof their friendship is forever. Here’s to the next chapter!”
