Ant McPartlin, 48, beams as he's seen for the first time after 'confirming' he's expecting a baby with wife Anne-Marie Corbett, 46, following his long-time desire to be a father

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  • READ MORE: Who is Ant McPartlin’s wife Anne-Marie Corbett? 

Ant McPartlin appeared in good spirits as he was seen for the first time after reportedly confirming to pals he is set to become a first time father with wife Anne-Marie Corbett.

The TV host, 48, is said to be ‘beyond delighted’ at the prospect of becoming a father and he told his Britain’s Got Talent co-stars this week, and revealed Anne-Marie, 46, was due in June.

On Saturday, Ant was seen smiling as he and his BGT co-host Declan Donnelly, 48, posed with a fan at the talent show’s Manchester auditions.

Series judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Bruno Tonioli and Alesha Dixon were seen at the venue as they arrived in miniature cars with the Union Jack painted on the side.

It was previously rumoured in December last year that Anne-Marie could be expecting their first child, after she appeared to be several months pregnant while returning from a trip to Dubai. The couple are yet to publicly comment on the news.

Ant McPartlin appeared in good spirits as he was seen for the first time after reportedly confirming to pals he is set to become a first time father with wife Anne-Marie Corbett (Ant, left, pictured with his Britain's Got Talent co-host Declan Donnell, right, and a fan)

Ant McPartlin appeared in good spirits as he was seen for the first time after reportedly confirming to pals he is set to become a first time father with wife Anne-Marie Corbett (Ant, left, pictured with his Britain’s Got Talent co-host Declan Donnell, right, and a fan)

The TV host  is said to be 'beyond delighted' by the news as he told his Britain's Got Talent co-stars recently and revealed the little one was due in June (pictured together in 2021)

The TV host  is said to be ‘beyond delighted’ by the news as he told his Britain’s Got Talent co-stars recently and revealed the little one was due in June (pictured together in 2021) 

According to The Sun Ant had already confided the wonderful news in close friend and onscreen partner Declan Donnelly following weeks of speculation. 

Anne-Marie, who has two children from her previous marriage, is believed to have already had her five-month scan which allowed the couple to confidently let the cat out of the bag. 

A source told the publication: ‘This is the news everyone wanted. Ant and Anne- Marie are beyond delighted.’

‘It’s no secret that Ant has always wanted children, but that it may never happen for him was something he had, sadly, come to terms with.’

They went on to describe Ant as a ‘wonderful doting father’ to Anne-Marie’s children and said the couple did everything they could to keep the news a secret for as long as possible. 

Adding: ‘To be having a child two years short of his 50th birthday, with the love of his life, is the stuff of dreams for Ant.’

It’s also been reported that Ant will still be returning to work on I’m A Celebrity this November, with a source claiming Dec has no doubt ‘lined up some dad jokes.’ 

MailOnline contacted Ant’s reps for comment. 

Britain's Got Talent judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Bruno Tonioli and Alesha Dixon were seen in Manchester in mini cars with the Union Jack on the side for the show's auditions (Amanda and Simon pictured centre)

Britain’s Got Talent judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Bruno Tonioli and Alesha Dixon were seen in Manchester in mini cars with the Union Jack on the side for the show’s auditions (Amanda and Simon pictured centre)

Amanda and Simon were seen driving the cars while in Manchester to film Britain's Got Talent auditions for the upcoming series

Amanda and Simon were seen driving the cars while in Manchester to film Britain’s Got Talent auditions for the upcoming series

And and Dec will be returning to host this year's Britain's Got Talent (Simon and Amanda pictured centre)

And and Dec will be returning to host this year’s Britain’s Got Talent (Simon and Amanda pictured centre)

Ant has reportedly confirmed to pals that he is set to become a first time father with wife Anne-Marie after his long-time desire for a family (pictured together in January)

Ant has reportedly confirmed to pals that he is set to become a first time father with wife Anne-Marie after his long-time desire for a family (pictured together in January) 

Ant had already confided the news in close friend and onscreen partner Declan Donnelly following weeks of speculation (Anne-Marie pictured in December)

Ant had already confided the news in close friend and onscreen partner Declan Donnelly following weeks of speculation (Anne-Marie pictured in December)

Ant has always been open about his desire to be a father. 

In 2013 he revealed his and ex-wife Lisa Armstrong’s  struggles, saying: ‘There’s a rumour that I’m holding off having kids till Dec finds himself Mrs Right. 

‘I love that idea, but I’m afraid it’s not true. Lisa and I would love to have kids. We’re trying. It’s tougher than you think when you get a bit older.’

The TV star credits his wife, who he married in a lavish £500k wedding in 2021, for getting him through his alcohol and prescription drug addictions.

Previously saying: ‘She’s been my rock. She’s a beautiful soul. We’re very happy. I’m in the best place I’ve been in my life. It’s great.’ 

There have been rumours swirling for some months that the couple might be expecting – particularly after Anne-Marie decided against flying to Australia to be at her husband’s side as while he hosted ITV’s I’m A Celebrity.

Instead, he was there alone while his on-screen partner Dec was joined by his wife Ali Astall and their two children, Isla, five, and Jack, one.

Anne-Marie, who has two children from her previous marriage, is believed to have already had her five-month scan which allowed the couple to confidently let the cat out of the bag (pictured together in 2023)

Anne-Marie, who has two children from her previous marriage, is believed to have already had her five-month scan which allowed the couple to confidently let the cat out of the bag (pictured together in 2023)

They went on to describe Ant as a 'wonderful doting father' to Anne-Marie's children and said the couple did everything they could to keep the news a secret (pictured at their 2021 wedding)

They went on to describe Ant as a ‘wonderful doting father’ to Anne-Marie’s children and said the couple did everything they could to keep the news a secret (pictured at their 2021 wedding)

The couple set tongues wagging when Anne-Marie was seen arriving at Heathrow airport in December on the way to a New Year break to Dubai , appearing to be several months pregnant

The couple set tongues wagging when Anne-Marie was seen arriving at Heathrow airport in December on the way to a New Year break to Dubai , appearing to be several months pregnant

One onlooker said of Ant: ¿He couldn¿t stop smiling, he looked like the happiest man in the world.

One onlooker said of Ant: ‘He couldn’t stop smiling, he looked like the happiest man in the world. 

The couple set tongues wagging when Anne-Marie was seen arriving at Heathrow airport in December on the way to a New Year break to Dubai, appearing to be several months pregnant.

Dressed in a loose black dress and yellow woollen cardigan, she smiled as she pushed her luggage towards the terminal. 

One onlooker said of Ant: ‘He couldn’t stop smiling, he looked like the happiest man in the world.’ 

The pair got together after meeting while she worked for Ant and his former wife, Lisa Armstrong.

Friends previously told MailOnline’s Katie Hind that Lisa would be ‘very upset’ if her former partner’s happy news was confirmed – because she too was desperate to become a mother. 

In fact, it is believed that she and Ant tried for a baby for several years and she was devastated when their marriage ended in 2018, still childless.

There have been rumours swirling for some months that the couple might be expecting after Anne-Marie decided against flying to Australia while Ant hosted I¿m A Celebrity (Ant and Dec pictured with winner Sam Thompson)

There have been rumours swirling for some months that the couple might be expecting after Anne-Marie decided against flying to Australia while Ant hosted I’m A Celebrity (Ant and Dec pictured with winner Sam Thompson)

Instead, he was there alone while his on-screen partner Dec was joined by his wife Ali Astall and their two children, Isla, five, and Jack, one (Anne-Marie, Ant, Dec and Ali in 2021)

Instead, he was there alone while his on-screen partner Dec was joined by his wife Ali Astall and their two children, Isla, five, and Jack, one (Anne-Marie, Ant, Dec and Ali in 2021)

For make-up artist Lisa, who shares a brown labrador named Hurley with her ex-husband, what has made it harder is that Anne-Marie worked for them as a PA before she began dating the I’m A Celeb star. 

A friend said in December: ‘Anne-Marie was Lisa’s friend, and she was heavily involved in getting her the job working for the McPartlins.

‘Lisa would send Anne-Marie’s children birthday and Christmas presents, she even went on holiday with them, and then bang, it all changed.’

Ant and Lisa – a former singer in the now defunct pop band Deuce – married in 2006 at a lavish ceremony at Cliveden House in Berkshire.

They split in September 2018 after he checked into rehab for addiction issues.

A lengthy divorce battle followed, mostly over the TV star’s £60million fortune.

The couple wed star-studded service in Hmapshire in August 2021

The couple wed star-studded service in Hmapshire in August 2021

Dec (L) served as his long time pal's Best man

Dec (L) served as his long time pal’s Best man 

The wedding was attended by a host of famous faces including Phillip Schofield, Stephen Mulhern, Cat Deeley and husband Patrick Kielty (pictured)

The wedding was attended by a host of famous faces including Phillip Schofield, Stephen Mulhern, Cat Deeley and husband Patrick Kielty (pictured) 

Rumours that the couple had split emerged in autumn 2017 after Lisa did not accompany Ant to Australia for I’m A Celeb.

She denied there were problems at the time, pointing out that she had a job and had not been to Australia for years.

Ant & Anne-Marie’s £500k wedding costs

  • Bride arrived in a £300k black Rolls-Royce Cullinan
  • Bride wore a £15,000 bespoke floor-length dress by designer Suzanne Neville
  • Guests arrived in a £30k Mercedes Benz people carrier
  • The Grade II listed church cost £25 for a daytime hire
  • The reception took place at Heckfield Place, with Ant reportedly shelling out £110k to put 100 guests up for the night
  • Bridal suite cost £5k for the wedding night
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But Ant’s representative announced in January 2018 that the couple’s 11 year marriage had ended.

Ant began to be linked with his personal assistant Anne-Marie just weeks later in March 2018.

Lisa was said to have indicated her disapproval of the relationship by liking a fan’s tweet which said it was ‘a major girl code breach’ to ‘start shacking up with your wife’s friend’.

Her and Ant’s marriage officially ended in October 2018 when she was granted a decree nisi after he admitted adultery.

Lisa split from her most recent partner, James, 40, in August 2023 after he surprisingly ended their romance and moved out of her £4.5m London home while she was working in Manchester.

Insiders close to the former couple have told MailOnline their relationship turned toxic over money, as Lisa claims she loaned him cash during their time together back, but he’s resisting all approaches.

Lisa and James dated for three years and the electrician was her most serious relationship since her high-profile divorce from husband Ant, in which she received a reported £31m payout.

James was working for a company installing electric doors when they met, having recently moved out of the £450,000 family home he shared with ex-wife Kirsty in Winchester, Hampshire. 

The pair got together after meeting while she worked for Ant and his former wife, Lisa Armstrong (pictured in 2021)

The pair got together after meeting while she worked for Ant and his former wife, Lisa Armstrong (pictured in 2021)

Ant was always open about his desire to be a father and tried unsuccessfully for a child with ex-wife (pictured at their wedding in 2006)

Ant was always open about his desire to be a father and tried unsuccessfully for a child with ex-wife (pictured at their wedding in 2006) 

Friends previously told MailOnline's Katie Hind that Lisa would be 'very upset' if her former partner's happy news was confirmed – because she too was desperate to become a mother (pictured 2015)

Friends previously told MailOnline’s Katie Hind that Lisa would be ‘very upset’ if her former partner’s happy news was confirmed – because she too was desperate to become a mother (pictured 2015)

But James shocked Lisa by breaking up with her totally unannounced and moved his belongings out of her home when she was away.

A source told MailOnline at the time: ‘I don’t really know what has gone wrong. The two of them were only on a swanky holiday together in the Caribbean or somewhere about eight weeks ago.

‘He was with her one day, and he just wasn’t with her the next day. There was no inkling that anything was wrong.’

Despite the surprise split, friends told how the pair were initially on amicable terms but that is no longer the case, mainly in part to Lisa’s demands for her money back.

A friend of James said: ‘When Lisa gave him that money, he thought it was in good grace – he didn’t see it as a loan with strict conditions to pay it back by a certain time.

‘It’s all got rather messy and Lisa threatening him with legal action is obviously concerning given her financial power.’

During their divorce battle, Ant is said to have told lawyers: ‘She can have anything she wants – except the dog.’

During their divorce battle, Ant is said to have told lawyers: 'She can have anything she wants – except the dog' (Lisa pictured with dog Hurley)

During their divorce battle, Ant is said to have told lawyers: ‘She can have anything she wants – except the dog’ (Lisa pictured with dog Hurley)

Lisa split from her most recent partner, James, 40, in August 2023 after he surprisingly ended their romance and moved out of her £4.5m London home while she was working in Manchester

Lisa split from her most recent partner, James, 40, in August 2023 after he surprisingly ended their romance and moved out of her £4.5m London home while she was working in Manchester

The former couple reportedly agreed to take it in turns to look after Hurley.

The arrangement led to the TV presenter’s chauffeur ferrying the dog between the two of them so they did not have to see each other.

It was reported in February this year that Lisa wanted her pet to live with her full time.

She is said to have argued that it was only fair as Ant also had two maltipoo dogs – Maltese and poodle crossbreeds – called Milo and Bumble.