# Ant McPartlin Shed Tears of Joy for a Second Child? Debunking the Speechless Baby Name Claim
Ant McPartlin, the effervescent half of the UK’s iconic Ant and Dec duo, has long captivated audiences with his wit and warmth on shows like *I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!* and *Britain’s Got Talent*. His personal life, marked by triumphs and trials, took a joyous turn with the birth of his first child, Wilder Patrick McPartlin, on May 14, 2024. So, when rumors surfaced that McPartlin shed tears of joy welcoming a second child with a name so stunning it would “leave you speechless,” fans were ready for another heartwarming twist. Yet, no evidence supports this claim. With only Wilder confirmed as his child with wife Anne-Marie Corbett, the story of a second baby and a tearful reveal appears to be fiction. Let’s explore McPartlin’s fatherhood journey, the impact of Wilder’s arrival, and why this rumored announcement doesn’t hold up.
McPartlin’s first child, Wilder, was announced via a now-iconic Instagram post on the Ant and Dec account, featuring a black-and-white photo of McPartlin cradling his newborn son. The caption read, “Welcome to the family. Wilder Patrick McPartlin. Born, 14/05/24 at 8.54am. Baby is beautiful, Mummy’s a legend, Sisters are over the moon. Dad’s a mess!” The reveal, which included a family tree tattoo with names of Corbett’s daughters, Daisy and Poppy, and their dogs, shocked fans due to the couple’s secrecy. McPartlin, 48 at the time, and Corbett, 46, had kept the pregnancy private, a feat for a presenter whose £30 million ITV career keeps him in the spotlight. The emotional caption, highlighting McPartlin as a “mess,” suggested tears of joy, which may have inspired the fictional second child narrative.
The claim of a second child, however, finds no footing. As of April 27, 2025, no news outlets, from The Sun to The Mirror, report a second pregnancy or birth for McPartlin and Corbett. Social media, including the Ant and Dec Instagram and McPartlin’s X posts, remains silent on a new baby, focusing instead on *I’m a Celebrity*’s 2024 season and McPartlin’s joy as a new dad. In a December 2024 interview, McPartlin described fatherhood as “wonderful” but exhausting, mentioning “nappies and sleepless nights” for Wilder, with no hint of another child. Corbett, who has two daughters from a previous marriage, has settled into family life with McPartlin, but their focus appears to be on Wilder, Daisy, and Poppy, not an expanding brood.
The “speechless” baby name angle likely draws from Wilder’s unique moniker, which sparked buzz for its bold, untamed meaning and traditional middle name, Patrick, honoring Corbett’s late father, Paddy. Fans praised Wilder as a “ray of light,” with some speculating it reflected McPartlin’s vibrant TV persona. If a second child existed, a similarly striking name might be expected, but no such announcement exists. The tearful joy attributed to McPartlin aligns with his emotional response to Wilder’s birth, where he admitted to being overwhelmed, but there’s no evidence of a repeat moment in 2025.
McPartlin’s journey to fatherhood contextualizes why a second child rumor emerged. His 2018 divorce from Lisa Armstrong, after 11 years and fertility struggles, left him uncertain about parenthood. In a 2013 interview, he said, “Lisa and I would love to have kids. We’re trying,” but their childless marriage ended amid McPartlin’s addiction battles and a drink-driving incident. His 2018 relationship with Corbett, culminating in their 2021 wedding, brought hope, and Wilder’s birth at 48 was described as “the stuff of dreams.” The joy of Wilder’s arrival, coupled with McPartlin’s role as a stepfather to Daisy and Poppy, may have fueled speculation about a growing family, but no second pregnancy has been reported.
The announcement of Wilder had a profound impact, prompting McPartlin and Declan Donnelly to pause *Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway* after its 20th series in 2024. McPartlin explained, “We’ve both got children we need to spend time with.” The decision shocked fans, who posted, “No *Takeaway* because of Wilder? Ant’s dad life is everything!” McPartlin’s emotional departure for *I’m a Celebrity* in Australia in November 2024, leaving Wilder for three weeks, underscored his new priorities. Corbett and Wilder joined him for his 49th birthday, with photos capturing McPartlin’s joy on a Gold Coast beach. These family-focused moves might inspire rumors of a second child, but they reflect his commitment to Wilder, not a new baby.
Fan and celebrity reactions to Wilder’s birth were overwhelmingly positive, with Davina McCall, Alesha Dixon, and Jamie Redknapp offering congratulations. Social media buzzed with memes of McPartlin hosting with a baby bottle, and fans wrote, “Ant’s a dad, and it’s the best news!” A minor controversy arose over the tattoo’s perceived omission of Hurley, the Labrador McPartlin shares with Armstrong, but his clarification that Hurley’s name was included calmed tensions. Armstrong’s cryptic posts about “silent battles” hinted at personal pain, but her focus on her nephew’s birth in December 2024 shifted attention. No similar buzz or controversy surrounds a second child, suggesting the claim is fabricated.
The rumor may stem from confusion with other 2024-2025 celebrity births, like former *Hollyoaks* stars Daisy Wood-Davis and Luke Jerdy welcoming their second child, Ari Jax, in December 2024, or *Coronation Street*’s Sam Aston and Briony’s third child, Hazel, in May 2024. McPartlin’s high-profile status, amplified by his 23rd National Television Award win in September 2024, makes him a target for speculative narratives. The “speechless” name claim could also echo the buzz around Wilder or fictional stories about other stars’ bold name choices. Alternatively, fans’ emotional investment in McPartlin’s redemption arc—overcoming addiction to embrace fatherhood—might fuel hopes for more baby news.
McPartlin’s career continues to thrive, with *Britain’s Got Talent* and *Limitless Win* ongoing, but his family-first approach is clear. In a September 2024 interview, he leaned on Donnelly’s parenting tips, though Dec jokingly admitted his advice was “very bad,” like “give the baby to someone else.” McPartlin’s £130 million fortune, shared with Donnelly, supports his family, and Corbett’s “unwavering” support has been key to his stability. A second child at 49, while possible, would likely be announced with the same fanfare as Wilder’s, not left to rumors.
The lack of controversy around McPartlin’s actual family news, unlike speculative claims about other celebrities, highlights his positive public image. His openness about Wilder, from the tattoo to his “tired” admission on *I’m a Celebrity*, contrasts with the secrecy of a supposed second child. If tears of joy were shed, they were for Wilder, not a fictional sibling. For accurate updates, check the Ant and Dec Instagram or ITV news.
In conclusion, the claim that Ant McPartlin welcomed a second child with a “speechless” name is unsupported. Wilder Patrick McPartlin remains his only child, and his tearful joy was evident in 2024’s announcement. The rumor likely draws from Wilder’s impact, McPartlin’s emotional fatherhood journey, or confusion with other celebrity births. McPartlin’s life has indeed changed forever, but it’s Wilder, Daisy, and Poppy who define his family, not a second child.