Ant McPartlin, who this week became a new dad to baby Wilder Patrick, spoke candidly about the ‘tough’ struggle he and ex-wife Lisa Armstrong had when trying for a baby

Ant McPartlin and ex-wife Lisa Armstrong never had the family they were hoping for.

The former couple longed to become parents for many years before the Geordie TV presenter became a dad on Tuesday with his second wife Anne-Marie. They welcomed baby boy Wilder Patrick and shared their happy news with the world with an adorable photo on Instagram of Ant cradling the newborn.

But for him and Lisa, a family was not meant to be. After meeting on the music scene as teenagers and dating for 11 years, Ant popped the question with a diamond Tiffany ring. They tied the knot at a star-studded ceremony 14 months later.

The I’m A Celeb star was forced to deny Lisa was pregnant and in 2010, declared they had started trying for a baby. He said at the time: “We’ve wanted children for a while, but we’re both busy. We’re on a break now, the first proper one for 15 years. So Lisa and I are trying for a baby… well, we’ve been trying for a little while so fingers crossed.”

Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong married in 2006(Image: FilmMagic)

He moved on with their former PA Anne-Marie(Image: GC Images)

Three years passed and with no baby news, Ant addressed rumours that he was waiting for his co-host Declan Donnelly to meet someone before having children. Setting the record straight, he told Radio Times in 2013: “There’s a rumour that we do everything together and I’m holding off having kids till Dec finds himself Mrs Right.”

Despite admitting he “loved” the idea, the TV star confirmed it wasn’t true, admitting he had wanted children “for a while”. He said: “I love that idea, but I’m afraid it’s not true. Lisa and I would love to have kids. We’re trying.” Ant heartbreakingly confessed: “It’s tougher than you think.”

Sadly it didn’t happen and another three years later, Ant said he feared their age was against them. And in 2017 he again hinted at his pain, admitting: “We’ve struggled. Like a lot of couples do. It’s very personal.”

Alongside the strain of their fertility struggle, in 2014 Ant suffered a torn meniscus in his knee, which left him immobile and in near-constant agony. It sparked an addiction to painkillers and the spiralling star ended up in rehab.

In January 2018, Ant released a solo statement confirming he’d left Lisa, and just six months later, he stepped out with their former PA, Anne-Marie Corbett, who he ended up marrying in 2021.

Ant and ex Lisa with their dog Hurley(Image: TIM STEWART NEWS LIMITED)

The new dad announced his baby news with a black and white snap

Lisa was reportedly devastated as she considered Anne-Marie a friend, and hit out on Twitter accusing her of breaking the ‘girl code’. She is said to have been just as heartbroken over news Ant’s baby news. And a source told the Mail that cruel speculation over why they never had children has been difficult to take.

Explaining that Lisa did not have fertility issues, the supposed close friend said: “She went through so much trying to have a baby, and then she had to put up with people guessing about her ability to have children.”

Meanwhile, just hours before Ant announced the birth of baby Wilder, Lisa shared a cryptic Instagram post where she explained she was going through secret battles. “Be proud of how you’ve been handling these last few months,” she penned.

“The silent battles you’ve fought, the moments you had to humble yourself, the times you’ve wiped your own tears. Celebrate your strength.” The source said her beloved chocolate Labrador, Hurley, is what is keeping her going through the turbulence.

She shared with pooch with ex-Ant, however the dog he deeply cared about is missing from his family tribute inking. Ant told The Sun of his faithful friend: “There’s a loyalty and love with Hurley you can’t describe. He never tells me off and is always pleased to see me.” The former couple reportedly got the dog when they realised they weren’t to become parents, and still share custody of him, while Ant and Anne-Marie also have their own dogs, Milo and Bumble, who feature in the tattoo. “If anything is going to keep her going through this difficult time, it’s him,” a source added.

The former couple reportedly got the dog when they realised they weren’t to become parents, and still share custody of him, while Ant and Anne-Marie also have their own dogs, Milo and Bumble, who feature in the tattoo. “If anything is going to keep her going through this difficult time, it’s him,” a source added.