Ant McPartlin, one half of the UK’s cherished Ant and Dec duo, has long been a household name, lighting up screens on *I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!* and *Britain’s Got Talent*. His personal journey, from addiction struggles to finding love with Anne-Marie Corbett, captivated fans, culminating in the emotional birth of his first child, Wilder Patrick McPartlin, on May 14, 2024. So, when rumors emerged that McPartlin welcomed a second baby amidst tears of joy, with a “shocking” surprise gift from *BGT* judge Simon Cowell, the internet buzzed with curiosity. Yet, no evidence supports this claim. With Wilder as his only child and Cowell’s known gift tied to Wilder’s birth, the story of a second baby and a new gift is pure fiction. Let’s unpack McPartlin’s fatherhood, Cowell’s gesture, and why this rumor doesn’t hold up.
The rumor likely draws from the genuine emotion of Wilder’s birth, announced via a viral Instagram post on the Ant and Dec account. McPartlin shared a black-and-white photo cradling Wilder, writing, “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 caption, admitting McPartlin was a “mess,” implied tears of joy, resonating with fans who flooded social media with comments like, “Ant crying over Wilder is so sweet!” The post revealed a family tree tattoo, including Corbett’s daughters, Daisy and Poppy, and their dogs, though a brief controversy arose over the apparent omission of Hurley, the Labrador McPartlin shares with ex-wife Lisa Armstrong. McPartlin clarified Hurley’s name was included, hidden by Wilder’s body, calming most critics.
Simon Cowell’s involvement stems from a real gesture for Wilder’s birth. During *Britain’s Got Talent*’s first live semi-final on May 27, 2024, Cowell paused the show to congratulate McPartlin, saying, “By the way, can I just say congratulations to you, Ant? Truly, I really am happy for you.” McPartlin thanked him, adding, “Thank you for your lovely gift,” before jokingly calling out judges Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and Bruno Tonioli, “Judges, I’m still waiting on yours.” Cowell tried to cover, claiming the gift was from “all of us,” but McPartlin teased, “It was signed by you, not them.” Fans loved the exchange, with X posts like, “Aww Simon sent Ant a gift, bless #BGT,” but the gift’s details remain undisclosed, and no reports suggest it was “shocking.”
No evidence indicates a second child. As of April 27, 2025, no news outlets, including The Mirror or Daily Mail, report a new pregnancy or birth for McPartlin and Corbett, married since August 2021. McPartlin’s X activity and the Ant and Dec Instagram focus on *I’m a Celebrity*’s 2024 season and Wilder’s milestones, like his first Australia trip for McPartlin’s 49th birthday in November 2024. In a December 2024 interview, McPartlin described fatherhood as “wonderful” but challenging, citing “nappies and sleepless nights” for Wilder, with no mention of another child. Corbett, 46, has Daisy and Poppy from a prior marriage, and while McPartlin embraces his stepfather role, their family appears complete with Wilder.
The “shocking” gift claim likely exaggerates Cowell’s Wilder gift, which sparked lighthearted banter but no gasps. Cowell, 65, a father to Eric (born 2014) with fiancée Lauren Silverman, has a close bond with McPartlin, offering parenting advice in April 2024: “The first nine months are strange because they can’t talk to you… but after a year, it’s hilarious, and it will be life-changing.” Cowell’s history of generosity, like gifting McPartlin for Wilder, aligns with his public support, but no new gift for a second child exists. Speculation about a dramatic gift could stem from Cowell’s wealth or his playful *BGT* dynamic with Ant and Dec, who pranked him for *Saturday Night Takeaway* in February 2024.
McPartlin’s fatherhood journey explains why a second child rumor gained traction. His 2018 divorce from Armstrong, after fertility struggles, left parenthood uncertain. In 2013, he said, “Lisa and I would love to have kids. We’re trying,” but their marriage ended childless. His recovery from painkiller addiction and a drink-driving incident, supported by Corbett, led to Wilder’s birth at 48, a “dream come true.” The emotional weight of Wilder’s arrival, coupled with McPartlin’s pause of *Saturday Night Takeaway* in 2024 to focus on family, fueled fans’ hopes for more baby news. X posts like, “Ant’s such a great dad, bet he wants another!” reflect this sentiment, but no second pregnancy is confirmed.
The rumor may also confuse McPartlin with other 2024-2025 celebrity births, like *Coronation Street*’s Sam Aston’s third child, Hazel, or *Hollyoaks* stars Daisy Wood-Davis and Luke Jerdy’s second, Ari Jax. Alternatively, it could misinterpret Cowell’s own family aspirations, as he expressed interest in a second child with Silverman in 2023, saying, “It would be nice to have another.” McPartlin’s tattoo controversy with Armstrong, who posted about “silent battles,” might have been misconstrued as new family drama, though she focused on her nephew’s birth in December 2024.
Wilder’s birth reshaped McPartlin’s life, prompting the *Takeaway* hiatus and emotional moments, like leaving Wilder for *I’m a Celebrity* filming. Corbett and Wilder’s Gold Coast reunion for his birthday showed McPartlin’s joy, with sources noting he was “tanned and relaxed.” His £130 million fortune, shared with Declan Donnelly, supports his family, and Donnelly, godfather to Wilder, joked about hand-me-downs from his son, Jack. These details, while heartwarming, tie to Wilder, not a second child.
Fan reactions to Wilder’s birth were overwhelmingly positive, with Holly Willoughby, Cat Deeley, and Alesha Dixon celebrating, and no backlash beyond the Hurley tattoo flap. A second child would likely spark similar fanfare, yet social media is silent. The “tears of joy” and “speechless” name from prior rumors echo Wilder’s announcement, suggesting recycled speculation. If McPartlin, now 49, and Corbett welcomed another child, an Instagram reveal akin to Wilder’s would be expected, not vague rumors.
In conclusion, Ant McPartlin has not welcomed a second child, and no “shocking” Simon Cowell gift exists beyond his Wilder gesture. The rumor misreads McPartlin’s emotional fatherhood journey and Cowell’s *BGT* congratulations, possibly conflating other celebrity births or Cowell’s family plans. Wilder remains McPartlin’s only child, transforming his life and career, with Cowell’s support limited to a single, sweet gift. For updates, follow the Ant and Dec Instagram or ITV news.
