Declan Donnelly, one half of Britain’s beloved presenting duo Ant and Dec, has been a fixture on screens for over three decades, charming audiences with his wit and warmth alongside Ant McPartlin. Recently, unverified rumors have surfaced claiming Donnelly has filed for divorce from his wife of nine years, Ali Astall, sending shockwaves through fans on platforms like X. Adding fuel to the fire, these reports allege that Donnelly made eyebrow-raising comments about McPartlin, his lifelong friend and co-star, amid the supposed split. With McPartlin celebrating the reported birth of his second child, Eliza Rose, in April 2025, the timing of these claims has intensified scrutiny. This article investigates the divorce rumors, dissects the alleged remarks about McPartlin, and explores what this means for Ant and Dec’s enduring partnership.
The Divorce Rumor: No Evidence, Just Speculation
The claim that Declan Donnelly has filed for divorce from Ali Astall, his wife since August 2015, appears to originate from unverified X posts and tabloid-style chatter in early May 2025. These sources allege that Donnelly, 49, is ending his nine-year marriage, citing unspecified “personal differences.” However, no credible evidence supports this narrative. Neither Donnelly, Astall, nor their representatives have issued statements confirming a divorce, and major outlets like The Sun, Daily Express, or Mirror Online—which covered McPartlin’s 2018 divorce extensively—have not reported on any such filing. A search of public records and court filings, as of May 3, 2025, yields no trace of a Donnelly-Astall divorce.
Donnelly and Astall’s relationship has been notably stable. They began dating in 2013, after years as friends while Astall managed Ant and Dec’s careers, and married at St Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in Newcastle, with McPartlin as best man. They have two children, Isla Elizabeth Anne (born September 2018) and Jack Anthony Alphonsus (born July 2022), the latter named in tribute to McPartlin and Donnelly’s late father. Recent public appearances, like their joint attendance at Newcastle United’s EFL Cup victory parade in March 2025, show no signs of strain, with GB News describing them as “jubilant” alongside McPartlin. X posts from fans, such as one stating, “Dec and Ali looked so happy at the Newcastle win—divorce rumors are nonsense,” reflect skepticism about the claims.
The rumor’s timing, coinciding with McPartlin’s reported second child, Eliza, suggests it may be a misinterpretation or deliberate sensationalism. Donnelly’s absence from a BAFTA Television Awards nominations event on April 10, 2025, to support McPartlin at Portland Hospital during Eliza’s birth, was widely praised, not linked to marital issues. The lack of concrete evidence and Donnelly’s private nature—he rarely discusses family, per HELLO!—point to this being speculative gossip rather than fact.
The Alleged Comments About McPartlin
The claim that Donnelly made “eyebrow-raising” comments about McPartlin is equally unsubstantiated. X posts vaguely suggest he said something surprising about McPartlin during a Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) taping or interview, possibly tied to McPartlin’s new fatherhood or their professional future. However, no specific quotes or clips have surfaced, and recent verified interactions paint a picture of unwavering support. On May 1, 2025, during a BGT live semi-final, McPartlin broke down emotionally while mentioning his children, Wilder and Eliza, prompting Donnelly to announce, “Ant’s got a new girl, Eliza Rose, and we’re all over the moon,” and call him “the best dad, the best friend.” This heartfelt moment, reported by Mirror, was anything but contentious, with X users gushing, “Dec’s love for Ant is unreal—those comments were pure heart!”
The closest to “eyebrow-raising” was Donnelly’s playful jibe during Newcastle’s EFL Cup win coverage on March 17, 2025, when he quipped, “This is the best day of my life! Apart from my wedding, and the kids,” as McPartlin grinned, per GB News. This lighthearted remark, far from controversial, aligns with their banter-heavy dynamic, seen in moments like Donnelly teasing McPartlin’s 2023 BGT stage fall. Claims of deeper tension may stem from misread historical context, like Donnelly’s reported “torn” feelings during McPartlin’s 2018 divorce from Lisa Armstrong, when he and Astall were close to Armstrong, per Mirror Online. However, Donnelly’s actions—serving as McPartlin’s best man in 2021 and naming his son after him—contradict any ongoing rift.
Ant and Dec’s Bond: Stronger Than Ever
Donnelly’s decision to skip the BAFTA event for McPartlin’s hospital visit underscores their bond, forged in 1989 on Byker Grove. Their partnership has weathered McPartlin’s 2018 addiction struggles, when Donnelly hosted I’m a Celebrity with Holly Willoughby, and their 2024 Saturday Night Takeaway pause to focus on family, as McPartlin told Fault magazine. Donnelly’s support during McPartlin’s divorce from Armstrong, despite his friendship with her, was balanced by loyalty to McPartlin, as he stood by him through rehab and recovery, per The Guardian. Their families are intertwined—McPartlin is godfather to Isla, and Donnelly to Wilder—with Isla’s meeting with Eliza sparking documentary calls on X.
Recent professional moves, like their 23rd consecutive NTA win in 2024 and plans for Britain’s Got Talent and I’m a Celebrity in 2025, show no signs of fracture. Rumors of a TV reunion with Willoughby, fueled by her hospital visit for Eliza, suggest a vibrant future, per Radio Times. X posts dismiss the divorce and comment claims, with one stating, “Dec filing for divorce and shading Ant? Absolute rubbish—those two are brothers for life.”
Context: Armstrong’s Influence and Public Fascination
The rumors may be amplified by Lisa Armstrong’s presence. Her cryptic Instagram posts, like “Some storms don’t pass; you just learn to dance in the rain” in January 2025, hint at pain over McPartlin’s children, Wilder and Eliza, given their childless 23-year relationship, per Mirror Online. Armstrong’s support for Saturday Night Takeaway’s finale in 2024 showed goodwill, but her posts keep her in the narrative, with X users noting, “Lisa’s hurt might be stirring drama around Dec.” The public’s fascination with Ant and Dec’s personal lives, fueled by their Geordie charm and redemption arcs—McPartlin’s recovery, Donnelly’s fatherhood—makes any rumor, however baseless, a lightning rod.
Counterarguments and Speculation
Could there be truth to the divorce claim? It’s unlikely but not impossible. High-profile marriages face pressure, and Donnelly’s private nature could mask issues. However, his stable public image, lack of reported conflicts, and recent family-oriented appearances with Astall contradict this. The “eyebrow-raising” comments could be a misinterpretation of BGT banter, but no evidence suggests discord with McPartlin, especially after Donnelly’s heartfelt BGT speech. The rumors may stem from tabloid exaggeration or confusion with McPartlin’s 2018 divorce, which briefly “tore” Donnelly due to his ties with Armstrong, per HELLO!.
Cultural Impact and Fan Reaction
The rumors highlight Ant and Dec’s cultural weight, with their 2025 EFL Cup parade and OBE honors reflecting their status as national treasures. Fans on X reject the claims, with hashtags like #AntAndDecForever trending, one post stating, “Dec divorcing and dissing Ant? Not in a million years—fake news!” The call for a documentary, sparked by Isla meeting Eliza, shows a desire for authentic glimpses into their lives, per Chronicle Live. Their late-in-life fatherhood—McPartlin at 49, Donnelly at 46—resonates, challenging norms like Simon Cowell’s at 54.
Conclusion
The claim that Declan Donnelly filed for divorce from Ali Astall after nine years lacks evidence, appearing as speculative gossip timed with McPartlin’s second child, Eliza Rose. Alleged “eyebrow-raising” comments about McPartlin are equally baseless, contradicted by Donnelly’s heartfelt BGT support and hospital presence. Their 35-year bond, rooted in Byker Grove and tested by life’s trials, remains unshakable, with their families—Isla, Jack, Wilder, and Eliza—intertwined. While Lisa Armstrong’s emotional posts add nuance, the public’s love for Ant and Dec prevails, dismissing rumors and celebrating a friendship that defines British TV. As they gear up for Britain’s Got Talent and beyond, Donnelly’s loyalty to McPartlin proves their story is one of brotherhood, not division.
