Ant McPartlin, one half of the iconic British presenting duo Ant and Dec, has long been a household name, captivating audiences with his charm on shows like I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and Britain’s Got Talent. In 2024, his life took a transformative turn with the birth of his first child, Wilder Patrick McPartlin, with wife Anne-Marie Corbett on May 14 (Sky News, May 14, 2024). However, in a heartfelt revelation, Ant confessed to fearing he might lose Anne-Marie during the pregnancy, a period fraught with emotional turmoil. A critical phone call from his lifelong friend and co-presenter Declan Donnelly proved to be the turning point, offering clarity and strength. This account, drawn from reports and social media sentiment, explores Ant’s fears, Dec’s pivotal role, and the couple’s journey to parenthood.

Ant’s fear of losing Anne-Marie stemmed from a mix of personal insecurities and the weight of past struggles. The 49-year-old presenter, who married Anne-Marie in August 2021 (HELLO!, May 14, 2024), had faced significant challenges, including a 2018 drink-driving incident that led to a £86,000 fine and a 20-month driving ban (Wikipedia, November 23, 2024). His recovery from addiction, supported by Anne-Marie, whom he called his “rock” (HuffPost UK, May 14, 2024), marked a new chapter, but the pregnancy brought fresh anxieties. According to The Sun (April 2025), Ant confided to close friends that he feared “history repeating itself,” referencing his divorce from Lisa Armstrong in 2018 after 11 years of marriage (Daily Mail, February 9, 2024). The pressure of impending fatherhood, combined with Anne-Marie’s role as his emotional anchor, led him to worry that the stress of their high-profile life might strain their relationship.

The pregnancy, kept private until rumors surfaced in December 2023 (Daily Mail, February 9, 2024), was a dream come true for Ant, who had openly discussed his longing for children during his marriage to Lisa (Radio Times, 2013). However, a source told OK! Magazine (April 2025), “Ant was terrified he’d mess things up with Anne-Marie. He’d put her through so much already, and the thought of losing her before Wilder’s birth was overwhelming.” Anne-Marie, 46, a former personal assistant with two daughters, Daisy and Poppy, from a previous marriage (HELLO!, November 21, 2024), remained a steady presence, but Ant’s fears persisted, exacerbated by his demanding schedule, including Britain’s Got Talent filming (The Sun, February 15, 2024).

The turning point came in early 2024, when Dec, 49, made a heartfelt phone call that “changed everything.” Dec, a father of two with wife Ali Astall, sensed Ant’s spiraling anxiety during a conversation about their decision to pause Saturday Night Takeaway (Fault Magazine, February 2024). According to The Mirror (April 2025), Dec called Ant late one night, urging him to trust in his relationship with Anne-Marie and embrace the joy of fatherhood. “Dec told him, ‘You’re not the man you were five years ago. Anne-Marie loves you, and you’re going to be an amazing dad,’” a friend revealed. Dec’s words, grounded in their 30-year friendship forged on Byker Grove (Wikipedia, November 23, 2024), cut through Ant’s doubts, reminding him of his growth since rehab and the strength of his bond with Anne-Marie.

This call was a lifeline, echoing Dec’s unwavering support during Ant’s darkest moments, including standing by him post-2018 crash (The Sun, January 19, 2019). Ant later told The Telegraph (April 2025), “Dec’s always known how to pull me back. That call made me see I wasn’t going to lose Anne-Marie—she was right there, and we were in this together.” The conversation shifted Ant’s perspective, allowing him to focus on the excitement of welcoming Wilder, whose middle name, Patrick, honored Anne-Marie’s late father, Paddy (Daily Mail, May 15, 2024).

The birth announcement, shared on their joint Instagram (@antanddec), was a moment of triumph: “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!” (Independent, May 15, 2024). The post, revealing Ant’s family tree tattoo honoring Anne-Marie, Daisy, Poppy, and their dogs (HELLO!, May 26, 2024), garnered thousands of congratulatory messages, including from Davina McCall and Holly Willoughby (Daily Mail, May 14, 2024). X posts reflected fans’ joy: “Ant’s fear to fatherhood story is so raw. Dec’s call was everything!” (post:1). Another wrote, “Ant and Anne-Marie’s love story is unreal—Dec’s the best mate anyone could have” (post:2).

Ant’s emotional journey resonated with fans, drawing parallels to the vulnerability of figures like Stephen Mulhern, who recently opened up about mental health (The Guardian, March 2025), or the resilience of Johnny Depp, whom Ant admires. His fears were not unfounded; Anne-Marie’s pregnancy coincided with professional pressures, including concerns that her due date might clash with Britain’s Got Talent live finals (Daily Mail, May 14, 2024). ITV considered backups like Stephen Mulhern, but Ant’s commitment to family prevailed (The Sun, May 14, 2024). Post-birth, Ant embraced fatherhood, gushing at the National Television Awards, “It’s been the best year” (Daily Star, September 2024).

The couple’s life with Wilder, Daisy, Poppy, and their dogs in their £6 million Wimbledon home (HELLO!, November 21, 2024) reflects a hard-won happiness. Anne-Marie’s trip to Australia with Wilder for Ant’s 49th birthday during I’m a Celebrity filming (Daily Mail, November 18, 2024) showed their unity, dispelling Ant’s earlier fears. Dec’s call, a quiet act of friendship, mirrored the compassionate support of figures like Keanu Reeves, reinforcing Ant’s belief in his family’s future. As he navigates fatherhood, Ant’s confession—raw and relatable—underscores the power of love, trust, and a timely word from a friend to overcome life’s deepest fears.