Ant has “mixed emotions” over best pal Dec’s baby news
After Declan Donnelly announces wife Ali’s pregnancy, pals say it’s lifted troubled pal Ant Mcpartlin’s spirits
Ant Mcpartlin’s A been battling through the hardest time of his life, returning to rehab last month following a drive-drive charge. And since his involvement in a shocking three-car smash three weeks ago, his career has continued to unravel, with a Suzuki advertising deal being axed, and fans noting that he and presenting partner Declan Donnelly were left out of the trailer for the next series of
Britain’s Got Talent.
Amid the gloomy headlines, however, there was happier news last week, after Dec announced his wife Ali Anstall is expecting their first child.
And sources say the focus on Dec’s positive news has been a lift for Ant, 42, who has openly spoken about his and estranged wife Lisa Armstrong’s desire to have children. In 2013, he revealed his struggle to start a family with Lisa, to whom he was married for 11 years before their split in January. He said, “We’d love to have kids. We’re trying. It’s tougher than you think when you get a bit older. If we’re blessed with children, then we’d be over the moon.”
And sources say that the I’m A Celeb! host is “ecstatic” for Dec, also 42. In a 2011 interview, Dec revealed, “We want to be old-fashioned dads with a daft streak. I built the house to eventually have a family in. Two would be good. That’s still my intention, but who knows when it’ll be.”
A source says, “Ant was absolutely ecstatic when Dec told him his happy news – he knew just how much Dec and Ali had always wanted this.
BITTERSWEET
“Given how much he wanted to be a dad with a family of his own, friends worried it would be bittersweet for Ant, and that he’d struggle with it. Of course, there are mixed emotions – it made him reflect a bit on his situation with Lisa, but he’s not let those feelings overshadow being thrilled for his best pal. He knows it could still happen for him one day. “When Ant went back into rehab, he knew that it was his rock bottom moment,” the source adds. “That was the worst things were going to get, and the only way was up. He’s adamant he’ll get back to his old self and relaunch his career, and vowed he’ll do whatever it takes to come through the other side.”
Last week, reports claimed Lisa, 41 – who was looking strained during filming for
Britain’s Got Talent,
where she works as a make-up artist – had spent two years trying to keep her husband away from booze, as he battled an addiction to alcohol and prescription painkillers. It was also reported that she had told pals she felt they could salvage their relationship if he got rid of “toxic hangerson” who she believed led him to bad decisions which resulted in them separating.
The source says, “He’s giving all the signals that he’s really committed to turning his life around in rehab. It’s given her fresh hope that, if he can come out as the ‘old’ Ant she fell in love with, then why couldn’t they make it work?”
Last week, comedian and I’m A Celeb! star Iain Lee said he feared Ant “may never come back” to the spotlight, following a statement saying he was quitting TV for “the forseeable future”.
Iain, who’s previously opened up about his own mental health issues, said, “He’s obviously ill. People say addiction isn’t an illness – well, it is. He’ll come back whenever he’s ready. Or he may choose to never come
❛HE’S THRILLED FOR DEC, BUT OF COURSE IT’S MADE HIM REFLECT ON HIS SITUATION WITH LISA❜
back. He may think the stress and imposition on his private life isn’t worth it.”
DARK PLACE
Ant’s friend, TV presenter Noel Edmonds, also expressed concern about the star, saying, “What Ant needs is rocksolid people around him. People he respects and that speak with love, rather than flippant people who pander to his ego. When you go to the darkest place, all reason and logic deserts you and you are very dependent on having good people around you.”
Insiders say support for Ant – who, it was rumoured, will be replaced by James Corden for the final two shows of Saturday Night Takeaway – has grown as his pals continue to offer help.
The source adds, “All of Ant’s celebrity pals and colleagues have been rallying to offer support. Ant’s extremely grateful and it’s done wonders for him, but for now he needs to shut off from the outside world and focus on his treatment.”
Adding hope of a reunion for the pair, last week Lisa was reportedly wearing her wedding ring again.