Declan Donnelly poked fun at Ant McPartlin’s new parenting status as the pair launched the first semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent on Monday night.
Ant, 48, and his wife Anne-Marie, 46, welcomed their son Wilder, Ant’s first child, on May 14, and he announced the happy news on Instagram the next day.
Going into the live episode, Ant and Dec were seen in a black taxi and Ant said: “It’s finally here, the live semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent.”
Pulling out a red clipboard, Dec, also 48, said: “Hey, we should go through the checklist above, make sure we’ve got everything.”
Dec started: ‘Nappies, baby wipes…’ before turning to Ant and saying: ‘Wait, this is yours!’
Declan Donnelly, 48, poked fun at Ant McPartlin’s new fatherhood status, 48, as the pair launched Britain’s Got Talent’s first semi-final on Monday night.
Kicking off the live episode, Ant, who became a father for the first time when his son Wilder was born on May 14, said: “It’s finally here, the live semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent.”
Dec said, “Hey, we should go through the checklist above and make sure we have everything.” He started: ‘Diapers, baby wipes…’ before hilariously turning to Ant and saying: ‘Wait, this is yours!’
Ant put on a mock angry expression before grabbing the clipboard and saying, “That’s my list.” Give it to me here!’
The couple then revealed their real checklist, which included themselves, a “bright audience”, dancers and viewers at home.
As the show began, head judge Simon Cowell congratulated Ant on becoming a father.
Music mogul Simon, 64, said: “I’d like to congratulate you on becoming a father Ant, I’m so happy for you.”
The audience cheered as the Ant thanked Simón for his words and the gift he had sent him when his baby arrived.
BGT Viewers were quick to comment on the sweet moment, praising how happy the presenter looked.
They wrote on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Simon congratulates the ant and he has the biggest smile in my heart’;
‘Aww Simon sent Ant a blessing gift’; ‘Awwww Simon congratulating Ant!!!’;
The couple then revealed their real checklist which included themselves, a “bright audience”, dancers and viewers at home.
As the show began, head judge Simon Cowell congratulated Ant on becoming a father.
The audience cheered as Ant thanked Simón, 64, for his words and the gift he had sent him with the arrival of his baby.
‘Simon congratulates Ant on becoming a dad and on the birth of his baby and is happy for him’; “Ant’s first time on live TV since the birth of her son and she’s happier than ever.”
Announcing the news of Wilder’s birth on Instagram earlier this month, Ant shared an Instagram snap of him sweetly cradling his baby.
He wrote: ‘Born 14/05/24 at 8.54am Baby is beautiful, mom is a legend, sisters are delighted. Dad is a disaster!’
The baby is Ant’s first, while Anne-Marie has two children, Poppy and Daisy, from her previous marriage.
Ant’s ex-wife Lisa Armstrong has since returned to social media for the first time since the presenter welcomed Wilder.
The makeup artist shared a cryptic post on her Instagram Stories stating that “behavior never lies.”
The news of Ant’s baby is said to have devastated Lisa, who remains childless at 47 following her bitter divorce from the presenter.
Since the separation, Lisa has He had a constant source of support at his side: the loyal Labrador Hurley. She shares joint custody of the beloved canine with Ant, but reports say she wants exclusive possession of him, something he is said to have resisted.
Ant shared an Instagram snap sweetly cradling his baby boy and writing: ‘Born 14/05/24 at 8:54am. The baby is beautiful, mom is a legend, the sisters are delighted. Dad is a disaster!
Ant and Anne-Marie photographed together in 2021
BGT viewers were quick to comment on the sweet moment, praising how happy the presenter looked.
But she has reportedly vowed to keep fighting for sole custody of the chocolate Labrador, who regularly appears in her Instagram posts, where she refers to him as “mommy’s baby.”
Ant and Lisa adopted Hurley in 2013 after struggling to have a child of their own.
Ant is said to have refused to hand over full custody of Hurley to his ex during their £31million divorce battle, allegedly telling lawyers: “She can have anything she wants, except the dog.”
The agreement led the television presenter’s driver to transport the dog between the two so that they would not have to see each other.
Anne-Marie is said to have expressed her desire to look after the lab full-time in February, and friends close to the make-up artist say that desire is stronger than ever following the birth of Ant’s first-born.
“She felt very betrayed by both Ant and Anne-Marie and felt that none of this had been handled sensitively, especially the baby announcement,” sources said. Sun.
‘The only thing that has gotten her through this and been by her side constantly is Hurley – she doesn’t know what she would do without him. He is more than just a dog to her and has been a lifesaver at times.
They added: “Obviously Ant loves Hurley too, but he has a lot of other responsibilities and things going on in his life now and Lisa doesn’t see why she can’t have full custody of him.” She needs Hurley by her side.
Ant’s ex-wife Lisa Armstrong has returned to social media for the first time since the presenter welcomed Wilder.
She also shared a photo of four Labradors, including her beloved dog Hurley, along with the caption: “I got the gang together.”
The former couple reportedly agreed to take turns caring for Hurley, with the agreement having Ant’s driver take the dog between them so they wouldn’t have to see each other.
But the news of Wilder’s birth is said to have hit Lisa hard, particularly after she spent years supporting Ant during a tumultuous period that saw him struggle with a prescription drug addiction and a drinking problem.
His struggle with alcohol did not become public until March 2018, two months after he and Lisa divorced, when he was involved in a car accident and was charged with driving under the influence, for which he was fined £86,000.
The live semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent will air nightly at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX until Friday 31 May. The grand final will take place on Sunday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m.
