Ant McPartlin shared his desire to become a father more than a decade before he ‘confirmed’ his wife Anne-Marie Corbett was pregnant with his first child.
The TV host, 48, previously revealed his and now ex-wife Lisa Armstrong’s “tough” struggle to conceive in a candid 2013 interview.
Ant and Strictly Come Dancing make-up artist Lisa married in 2006 and tried for a baby for several years before divorcing in 2018 without children.
He told Radio times in 2013: ‘There’s a rumor going around that I’m waiting to have children until (co-host Declan Donnelly) finds herself Mrs Right’.
‘I like that idea, but I’m afraid it’s not true. Lisa and I really want children. Tried. When you get older, it’s harder than you think.’
Ant McPartlin, 48, shared his desire to become a father more than a decade before he ‘confirmed’ his wife Anne-Marie Corbett was pregnant with his first child (pictured together in January)
The TV presenter previously revealed his and now ex-wife Lisa Armstrong’s ‘tough’ struggle to conceive in a candid interview (pictured together in 2015)
Dec is now happily married to his wife Ali Astall, with whom he shares daughter Isla, five-year-old and one-year-old son Jack.
Ant has reportedly confirmed to his friends that he is becoming a father for the first time this week.
He is said to have been ‘extremely happy’ with the news as he told his Britain’s Got Talent co-stars this week, revealing 46-year-old Anne-Marie was due in June.
In December, there were rumors that Anne-Marie was expecting their first child, after she turned out to be several months pregnant when she returned from a trip to Dubai. The couple does not yet want to respond publicly to the news.
According to The sun Ant had already confided the fantastic news to close friend and on-screen partner Dec, after weeks of speculation.
Anne-Marie, who has two children from her previous marriage, is said to have already had a five-month scan, allowing the couple to confidently let the cat out of the bag.
A source told the publication: ‘This is the news everyone wanted. Ant and Anne-Marie are extremely delighted.’
“It’s no secret that Ant has always wanted children, but the fact that it might never happen for him was something he had unfortunately come to terms with.”
Ant and Strictly Come Dancing make-up artist Lisa married in 2006 and tried for a baby for several years before divorcing in 2018 without children (pictured in 2001)
Anne-Marie, who has two children from her previous marriage, is said to have already had a five-month scan, allowing the couple to confidently let the cat out of the bag this week (pictured together in 2023)
They went on to describe Ant as a ‘wonderful, loving father’ to Anne-Marie’s children and said the couple did everything they could to keep the news a secret for as long as possible.
Adding: ‘To have a child two years before his 50th birthday, with the love of his life, is a dream for Ant.’
MailOnline has contacted Ant’s representatives for comment.
Ant and Anne-Marie met after meeting while working for the TV star and his ex-wife.
Friends previously told MailOnline’s Katie Hind that Lisa would be ‘very upset’ if her former partner’s happy news was confirmed – as she too was desperate to become a mother.
Things have become more difficult for Lisa, who shares a brown Labrador called Hurley with her ex-husband, as Anne-Marie worked for them as a PA before she started dating the I’m A Celeb star.
A friend said in December: ‘Anne-Marie was Lisa’s friend, and she was heavily involved in getting her a job with the McPartlins.
‘Lisa sent Anne-Marie’s children birthday and Christmas presents, she even went on holiday with them, and then, boom, it all changed.’
The couple’s tongues were wagging when Anne-Marie arrived at Heathrow airport in December on her way to a New Year’s holiday to Dubai and turned out to be several months pregnant.
The pair got together after meeting while working for Ant and his ex-wife (pictured in 2021)
Friends previously told MailOnline’s Katie Hind that Lisa would be ‘very upset’ if her former partner’s happy news was confirmed – as she too was desperate to become a mother (pictured at their 2016 wedding)
Ant and Lisa – a former singer in the now defunct pop band Deuce – married in a lavish ceremony at Cliveden House in Berkshire in 2006.
They split in September 2018 after he checked into rehab for addiction issues.
A protracted divorce battle ensued, mainly over the TV star’s £60 million fortune.
Rumors that the couple had split emerged in autumn 2017 after Lisa failed to accompany Ant to Australia for I’m A Celeb.
She denied there were any problems at the time, pointing out that she had a job and had not been to Australia for years.
But Ant’s rep announced in January 2018 that the couple’s 11-year marriage had ended.
Ant started being linked to his personal assistant Anne-Marie just weeks later in March 2018.
Lisa reportedly showed her disapproval of the relationship by liking a fan’s tweet, which said it was “a major breach of girl code” to “move in with your wife’s boyfriend.”
Her and Ant’s marriage officially ended in October 2018 when she was granted a decree nisi after he admitted adultery.