London, June 23, 2025 – Television presenter Declan Donnelly, one half of the iconic Ant & Dec duo, is set to welcome his third child with wife Ali Astall through a groundbreaking reproductive technology that has never been attempted in the United Kingdom, sources exclusively confirm to The Sun. The 49-year-old Britain’s Got Talent host, already a proud father to daughter Isla, six, and son Jack, two, is reportedly embracing an innovative method described as “revolutionary” by fertility experts, sparking widespread intrigue and admiration among fans.
According to insiders, Donnelly and Astall, who married in 2015, have opted for a cutting-edge procedure involving mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT), a technique designed to prevent the transmission of certain genetic disorders by replacing faulty mitochondrial DNA in the mother’s egg with healthy mitochondria from a donor. While MRT has been legal in the UK since 2015, its use has been highly restricted, with only a handful of cases approved under stringent ethical guidelines. The couple’s decision to pursue this method, which has been more widely explored in countries like Australia and Canada, marks a bold step, as no UK couple has publicly documented its use for family planning.
A source close to the couple told The Sun, “Dec and Ali are thrilled about expanding their family, but they wanted to ensure the healthiest possible start for their baby. This method was a carefully considered choice after extensive consultations with specialists. They’re aware it’s uncharted territory in the UK, but they’re hopeful it will inspire others.” The procedure, overseen by a leading fertility clinic in London, reportedly combines Astall’s egg, Donnelly’s sperm, and donor mitochondria, resulting in a child who is genetically theirs but free from potential mitochondrial diseases, which can cause severe health issues like muscle weakness and organ failure.
The announcement, though not yet officially confirmed by Donnelly or Astall, has generated buzz on social media, with fans praising the couple’s courage and openness to modern science. On X, user @DecFanClub posted, “Declan Donnelly using this new method for baby number three is incredible! Such a trailblazer for families.” Another user, @UKParentVibes, wrote, “Huge respect to Dec and Ali for trying something so innovative. Wishing them all the best!” However, the decision has also sparked ethical debates, with some commentators questioning the long-term implications of MRT, which is sometimes referred to as “three-parent IVF” due to the donor’s genetic contribution, albeit minimal (less than 0.1% of the child’s DNA).
Donnelly, known for his privacy regarding family matters, has previously shared his joy at fatherhood. In the 2020 book Once Upon a Tyne, co-authored with Anthony McPartlin, he wrote, “Becoming a dad has completely transformed me. I felt a love I didn’t know was possible.” The couple’s first child, Isla Elizabeth Anne, was born in September 2018, followed by Jack Anthony Alphonsus in July 2022, with both births announced via heartfelt posts on their joint Instagram account with McPartlin. The names chosen for their children reflect personal tributes, with Isla’s middle name honoring Donnelly’s mother, Anne, and Jack’s middle names nodding to McPartlin and Donnelly’s late father, Alphonsus.
The couple’s decision to pursue MRT aligns with their commitment to family, which has been a driving force behind recent career choices, including the 2024 hiatus of Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway to focus on their children. Donnelly’s brother, Father Dermott Donnelly, who passed away in 2022, was a significant influence on his family values, and sources say the couple’s faith has guided their approach to this pioneering journey. The procedure’s success is not guaranteed, but early reports suggest Astall is in the early stages of pregnancy, with the couple cautiously optimistic about welcoming their third child in early 2026.
Fertility expert Dr. Helen O’Neill, speaking to BBC News about MRT’s potential, noted, “This technology offers hope for families at risk of mitochondrial diseases, but its rarity in the UK reflects the need for rigorous oversight. Cases like this could pave the way for wider acceptance.” Critics, however, including bioethicist Dr. John Harris, have raised concerns about the “slippery slope” of genetic interventions, though public support for MRT has grown, with a 2023 YouGov poll showing 62% of Britons favor its use for medical purposes.
As Donnelly and Astall prepare for their third child, their trailblazing choice has placed them at the forefront of a medical and cultural conversation. Fans eagerly await further updates, while the couple remains focused on their family’s future, with McPartlin, a doting godfather to Isla and Jack, reportedly “over the moon” for his best friend. For now, the nation celebrates the couple’s bold step, with X posts like @GeordiePride22 summing up the sentiment: “Dec’s always been a legend, but this is next-level. Congrats to him and Ali!”