In May 2024, Ant McPartlin, one half of the iconic British presenting duo Ant & Dec, became a father for the first time, welcoming son Wilder Patrick McPartlin with wife Anne-Marie Corbett. A rumor recently surfaced on X, claiming that Declan Donnelly, Ant’s lifelong friend and co-star, is planning a surprise party to celebrate Ant’s new role as a dad, complete with a special gift that could bring Ant to tears. The narrative paints a heartwarming scene: Dec, 49, orchestrating a heartfelt bash to honor Ant, 49, with a gift so emotional it might leave the new father sobbing. But is this party real, and what could this tear-jerking gift be? Here’s a deep dive into the rumor, the duo’s bond, and the likelihood of such a celebration. 🎉💌

Ant’s New Chapter as a Dad

Ant announced Wilder’s birth on May 14, 2024, via the Ant & Dec Instagram, sharing a photo of himself cradling his son. He wrote, “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, at London’s prestigious London Clinic, marked a milestone for Ant, who became a stepfather to Anne-Marie’s daughters, Daisy and Poppy, after their 2021 marriage. The name Wilder, meaning “untamed,” and Patrick, honoring Anne-Marie’s late father, added personal significance, per Express.co.uk.

The news drew widespread congratulations from stars like Cat Deeley, who called Ant’s tattoo incorporating his stepdaughters’ names “beautiful,” and Alesha Dixon, who gushed, “Over the moon for you,” per The Sun. Dec, named Wilder’s godfather, was described as “central” to the baby’s life, per Metro, reflecting their deep friendship. Ant’s joy was palpable, with him later telling Manchester Evening News that fatherhood was “absolutely wonderful” despite “nappies and sleepless nights.”

The Rumor: A Surprise Party with a Tearful Gift

The claim that Dec is planning a surprise party emerged on X, with posts suggesting a private celebration to mark Ant’s fatherhood. The narrative includes a “special gift” designed to make Ant cry, with fans speculating about sentimental items like a keepsake for Wilder or a tribute to their 35-year friendship. However, no credible outlet—Daily Mail, The Mirror, HELLO!, or Metro—has reported such plans. The rumor appears to stem from fan enthusiasm for Ant and Dec’s bond, amplified by Dec’s history of thoughtful gestures, like his emotional speech at Ant’s 2021 wedding, where he called Ant “the best friend a man could have,” per Wikipedia.

The idea of a tear-jerking gift aligns with their playful yet heartfelt dynamic. For Ant’s 46th birthday in 2021, Dec pranked him with a glued-shut box labeled “nothing,” prompting Ant to swear jokingly, per HELLO!. For Dec’s 47th birthday in 2022, Ant gifted him biltong during I’m a Celebrity filming, teasing, “Hopefully he won’t bite off more than he can chew,” per Birmingham Live. These exchanges suggest Dec might choose a gift blending humor and sentiment, but no specific plans for a 2025 party have surfaced.

Ant and Dec’s Friendship: A Foundation for Celebration

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, both born in 1975 in Newcastle upon Tyne, met as teens on Byker Grove in 1989, playing PJ and Duncan. Their friendship evolved into a professional partnership, dominating UK TV with SMTV Live, I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, Britain’s Got Talent, and Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway (2002–2024). They’ve won 23 consecutive National Television Awards for Best Presenter, per Wikipedia. Their £62 million net worth each underscores their success, per The Sun.

Their personal bond is equally strong. Dec was Ant’s best man at his weddings to Lisa Armstrong (2006) and Anne-Marie (2021), and Ant reciprocated at Dec’s 2015 wedding to Ali Astall. When Dec’s daughter Isla was born in 2018, Ant tweeted, “Can’t wait for cuddles,” per Metro. For Dec’s son Jack, born in 2022, Ant’s name was included as a middle name, Jack Anthony Alphonsus, per Wikipedia. Ant’s choice of Dec as Wilder’s godfather continues this tradition, per The Sun. Their mutual support, like Dec standing by Ant during his 2018 drink-driving incident and rehab, fuels speculation of a grand gesture like a surprise party.

Could a Party and Gift Happen?

While no evidence confirms a 2025 surprise party, the idea is plausible given their history. Dec’s thoughtful acts, like gifting Ant a “safety sippy cup” after a 2023 Britain’s Got Talent fall, per Daily Mail, show his knack for meaningful gestures. Their decision to pause Saturday Night Takeaway in 2024 to focus on family, per Metro, suggests time for personal celebrations. A party could occur privately in London, where Ant lives in a £6 million Wimbledon home and Dec resides nearby, per HELLO!. Their shared love for Newcastle United, celebrated at the 2025 EFL Cup win, could inspire a football-themed event, per Wikipedia.

The “special gift” to make Ant cry is speculative but could reflect their sentimental side. Possibilities include:

A Memory Book: A scrapbook of their 35-year friendship, from Byker Grove to Wilder’s birth, mirroring the reflective tone of their 2020 book Once Upon a Tyne, per Metro.

A Letter to Wilder: A heartfelt note from Dec, as Wilder’s godfather, promising to guide him, similar to Dec’s wedding speech, per Daily Mail.

A Family Heirloom: A Newcastle United keepsake, like a signed 2025 EFL Cup jersey, tying Ant’s fatherhood to their shared roots, per Wikipedia.

Ant’s emotional nature—evident when he teared up at Dec’s 2015 wedding, per Wikipedia—makes a tearful reaction plausible. However, Dec’s preference for privacy, avoiding public family discussions as a practicing Catholic, per Wikipedia, suggests any party would be low-key, not a publicized event.

Public Reaction and Rumor Origins

X posts reflect fan excitement, with one user writing, “Dec throwing Ant a dad party with a gift to make him cry? I’m already emotional!” Another doubted it, saying, “Love Ant and Dec, but this sounds like fanfic.” The rumor likely stems from Dec’s godfather role, reported by Metro, and their history of surprises, like Dec’s 2019 Pride of Britain award for a young girl, per Daily Mail. The emotional angle may draw from Ant’s candid fatherhood comments, like calling himself “a mess” at Wilder’s birth, per The Mirror.

Royal commentator Angela Levin, speaking on GB News, called such rumors “heartwarming but unverified,” noting Ant and Dec’s private celebrations. The timing, post-I’m a Celebrity 2024 filming in Australia, per HELLO!, supports the idea of a 2025 gathering, but no concrete plans exist. Similar rumors, like Dec holding Wilder first, were debunked, per The Sun, suggesting caution.

What’s the Reality?

No evidence confirms Declan Donnelly is planning a 2025 surprise party for Ant McPartlin’s fatherhood or preparing a tear-jerking gift. The rumor, born on X, reflects fans’ love for their bond but lacks substantiation from credible sources. Dec’s role as Wilder’s godfather and their history of thoughtful gestures—like Ant’s birthday cake for Dec in 2023, per Chronicle Live—make a private celebration possible, but not a publicized bash. A gift, if given, would likely be personal, like a letter or keepsake, but the “make Ant cry” detail is speculative.

Ant and Dec, currently filming Britain’s Got Talent auditions, per Daily Mail, are focused on work and family. Their friendship, celebrated at events like the 2025 EFL Cup parade, per Wikipedia, ensures Wilder’s milestone won’t go unmarked, but a surprise party remains a fan-driven dream. As one X user put it, “Dec and Ant don’t need a party to show their love—it’s in every laugh and hug.” The real gift is their enduring partnership, with or without tears.