Broody Ant planning baby with Anne-marie
He’s gone all clucky over Dec’s baby girl
Last week, Declan Donnelly and his wife Ali Astall welcomed baby Isla Elizabeth Anne into the world. Dec posted an adorable picture of his daughter’s tiny hand squeezing his finger and admitted he was “head over heels”. And it seems he’s not the only one, as we’re told best friend and co-presenter Ant Mcpartlin is now “super-broody”.
An insider close to the star, who was one of the first people to meet baby Isla, tells us, “Ant was over the moon at Dec’s news. He’s always wanted to be a dad and seeing Dec so happy has only made him want it for himself more. He wanted to wait until his divorce with Lisa was sorted, but seeing Dec’s baby girl has made him think again.” Ant – who announced his separation from wife Lisa Armstrong in January this year – has been dating his and Lisa’s former personal assistant Anne-marie Corbett since March, and it seems the couple are ready to take their relationship to the next level. However, we’re told the 42 year old’s friends are concerned he may be rushing into things too quickly. Not least because his ex-wife seems to still be struggling with their split. “Some people are concerned about how Lisa would react – they worry that it could destroy her,” we’re told. “As tough as she has been, she is still incredibly fragile, and this divorce process has been an emotional roller coaster for her to say the very least.
“But Ant is adamant that he’s got to focus on himself at the moment. He loves being around Annemarie’s kids and wants them to have children of their own, too.”
Anne-marie, 42, has two young children with her ex-husband, who she split from in October 2017, and we’re told Ant – who’s taking a break from TV after his stint in rehab – is resolute in moving on with her and starting a new chapter in his life. “Ant’s feeling is that Lisa needs to face facts and move on,” says our source. “He’s found someone who makes him happy and he doesn’t want to waste any more time. He feels like he’s getting a second chance with her. He’s desperate to be a dad, and those around him think it could be just what he needs to get his life on track – however badly Lisa might react to it all.”