Dec’s little Ant...
Star’s baby name tribute to his best pal and late father
DECLAN Donnelly has announced the arrival of his second child, son Jack Anthony Alphonsus – with middle names honouring his TV pal and his late father.
Wife Ali Astall, 43, delivered the baby safely on Saturday.
It is thought baby Jack has been given the middle name Anthony in honour of the Geordie presenter’s TV sidekick Ant McPartlin, with whom he started out in showbiz on kids’ drama Byker Grove.
Alphonsus was the name of Dec’s father, who moved to Newcastle from Ireland with wife Anne in 1958.
The dad-of-seven died in 2011 aged 78 after a cancer battle.
While there were rumours that Ali was expecting a sibling for their three-year-old daughter Isla, the couple had not confirmed the pregnancy.
Dec, 46, and Ali – his former manager whom he married in 2015 – shared the happy news via their joint Instagram account last night, with a picture showing his newborn son’s hand wrapped around one of his parent’s fingers. Dec wrote: “Shortly before 10am yesterday, 23.7.2022, Ali and I welcomed the arrival of our son, Jack Anthony Alphonsus, a very welcome ray of light. “He is wonderful and Isla is beyond excited to be a big sister!” Earlier this month, Dec lost his brother, Catholic priest Father Dermott, 55, who collapsed in church following a short illness. Dec said he was “heartbroken” and “beyond devastated”. Celebrities congratulated Dec and Ali on their new arrival. Chef Jamie Oliver wrote: “Congratulations to you all.” Love Island host Laura Whitmore posted a red heart emoji and wrote: “Delighted for you both! Congrats.”