Ant McPartlin returned to the screen on Monday 27 May for the first time since becoming a dad, as he and Declan Donnelly resumed presenting duties on this year's Britain's Got Talent live shows.
As the new dad picked up where he left off, judge Simon Cowell sent his congratulations during the show, telling the presenter: "By the way, can I just say congratulations to you, Ant? Truly, I really am happy for you.”
Beaming, Ant replied: “Thank you, I know you are. And thank you for you lovely gift.” He then quipped: “Judges, I’m still waiting on yours” as the rest of the panel Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli, kept quiet.
Attempting to have their backs, Simon told Ant: “It was from all of us” as the host fired back: “Okay, yeah but it was signed by you, not them” as Dec laughed beside him.
Ant and his wife Anne-Marie recently welcomed their baby boy Wilder into the world. The excited daddy, who is also a stepdad to Anne-Marie’s daughters, Poppy and Daisy, took to social media shortly after the birth to express gratitude for the outpouring of support and congratulations at the jubilant time.
In his announcement, he joyfully spoke: "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!”.
Ant’s return to work comes just days after King Charles was left in stitches after Dec shared an update regarding the new dad’s life after welcoming Wilder into the world. As he greeted the monarch, 48 year old Dec explained that co-host Ant was unable to be at Buckingham Palace himself because he was on parenting duties - and part of that meant feeding his son.
He said: “I passed on Ant's apology that he couldn't be here today because he was at home breastfeeding.” With a laugh, he continued: “I don't know whether I broke royal protocol by giving that information.”
While Dec couldn't help but make the joke when talking to the monarch, a source recently told OK! that he is taking his role as Wilder's godfather 'very seriously'.
“Dec is obviously so excited for Ant and has already been giving him advice - mainly how to deal with sleepless nights,” a source shared to OK!. “He can’t wait to take on the role of godfather and he’s promised to take his duties very seriously.”
Our source said Ant, who was previously married to makeup artist Lisa Armstrong, “always” planned to make Dec godfather to any biological children he might have - and Dec’s son, Jack, has Anthony as a middle name - in a nod to his best pal.
