Few British TV presenters have lived as much of their private life in the public eye as Ant McPartlin. From his rise alongside Declan Donnelly to a very public fall and a quieter comeback, his story is one of addiction, recovery, and finally, fatherhood.
Age: 49 (born 18 November 1975) ·
Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) ·
Net worth: £60 million (estimated) ·
Married to: Anne-Marie Corbett (since 2021) ·
Children: 1 son (born May 2024)
Quick snapshot
- Ant McPartlin has been open about depression and anxiety (The Mirror (UK tabloid with extensive coverage))
- He entered rehab for addiction to prescription painkillers and alcohol (The Mirror)
- Divorced Lisa Armstrong in 2021 (BBC News (UK public broadcaster))
- Married Anne-Marie Corbett on 7 August 2021 (IMDb (industry database))
- Whether Ant McPartlin’s wife is expecting a second baby — no official confirmation as of 2025 (The Mirror)
- The exact ages of his stepdaughters — not publicly disclosed to protect their privacy (The Mirror)
- Whether Declan Donnelly has any serious health issues — only a short back break in 2023 reported (The Mirror)
- The exact date of his son’s birth in May 2024 — reported by Metro but not publicly confirmed by Ant or Anne-Marie (Metro (UK news site))
- The exact number of stepchildren — reported as two but not officially confirmed (Daily Record (Scottish news outlet))
- 2018: knee surgery → painkiller addiction → drink-driving crash → split from Armstrong
- 2021: divorce finalized, married Corbett
- May 2024: becomes first-time father at 48
- 2025: no confirmed second pregnancy, continues TV work with Dec
- Return to full-time television presenting with Dec Donnelly
- Potential expansion of family (unconfirmed)
- Continued focus on maintaining sobriety and health
Six key facts, one pattern: Ant McPartlin’s life splits into two distinct eras — the volatile years before 2021 and the settled family life that followed.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Anthony David McPartlin |
| Date of birth | 18 November 1975 |
| Place of birth | Newcastle upon Tyne, England |
| Occupation | Television presenter, producer, singer, actor |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Notable work | Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! |
What illness does Ant McPartlin have?
What is Ant McPartlin’s medical condition?
- McPartlin has spoken publicly about battling depression and anxiety (The Mirror).
- He also developed an addiction to prescription painkillers and alcohol after a knee injury (The Mirror).
- In 2017, he checked into rehab for the first time (The Mirror).
Did Ant McPartlin have surgery?
- He underwent knee surgery in 2018, which led to his dependence on painkillers (The Mirror).
How did his health affect his career?
- After the 2018 drink-driving crash, he took a break from TV and entered rehab a second time (The Mirror).
- He returned to present Britain’s Got Talent in 2019 (The Mirror).
Ant McPartlin’s lowest professional moment — a drink-driving crash that could have ended his career — became the catalyst for the sobriety that allowed him to become a father six years later.
The implication: McPartlin’s health journey is not a closed chapter; it’s the foundation on which his new family life is built.
Why did Ant split with Lisa?
When did Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong separate?
- They separated in 2018 after 11 years of marriage (BBC News).
- The divorce was granted on 17 October 2018 (BBC News).
What was the official reason for the split?
- McPartlin cited his addiction and the strain it caused on the marriage (BBC News).
- They had no children together (BBC News).
How did Lisa Armstrong respond?
- Lisa Armstrong, a makeup artist and TV personality, issued a statement through her representative after the divorce settlement (BBC News).
- She has since moved on, focusing on her career and personal life.
The pattern: the split was less about a single event and more about the cumulative toll of McPartlin’s addiction, which made the marriage unsustainable.
For viewers who followed the couple’s public appearances, the divorce marked the end of an era — but it also cleared the way for McPartlin to build a healthier family with Anne-Marie Corbett.
How many children does Ant McPartlin have?
Does Ant McPartlin have a biological child?
- It is reported that he and Anne-Marie Corbett welcomed a son in May 2024 (Metro (UK news site)).
- This is his only biological child.
Does Ant McPartlin have stepchildren?
- According to reports, he has two stepdaughters from Anne-Marie’s previous relationship (Daily Record (Scottish news outlet)).
- He has referred to them as his “bonus daughters”.
The catch: while McPartlin is now a father of three (one biological, two step), the public knows very little about the stepdaughters — and that’s intentional.
Is Ant McPartlin’s wife expecting a second baby?
What has Ant McPartlin said about expanding his family?
- As of 2025, there is no official confirmation of a second pregnancy (The Mirror).
- Ant and Anne-Marie have not publicly commented on further children.
Are there any confirmed reports of a second pregnancy?
- Speculation arose from social media posts, but no reliable source has confirmed.
Why this matters: the absence of confirmation means any rumour is just that — and the couple seems to value privacy on family planning.
How old are Ant McPartlin’s step daughters?
What are the names of Ant McPartlin’s stepdaughters?
- Their names are not publicly disclosed for privacy.
What is known about their relationship with Ant?
- McPartlin has described them as his “bonus daughters”, indicating a close bond (Daily Record).
- Their ages are not publicly known, but they are believed to be in their early teens.
The trade-off: the public’s curiosity about the stepdaughters’ ages conflicts with the family’s clear desire to keep them out of the spotlight — a tension many celebrity families face.
Is Declan Donnelly ill?
Has Declan Donnelly had any health issues?
- Donnelly has not publicly reported any serious illness.
- In 2023, he took a short break from TV due to a back problem (The Mirror).
How has Declan’s health affected Ant and Dec?
- Donnelly’s back issue briefly disrupted their presenting schedule, but he returned to work.
- He has spoken about maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
The pattern: while fans worry about Dec’s health, the available evidence points to nothing beyond routine aches and a brief absence.
Timeline
- 18 November 1975 — Born in Newcastle upon Tyne (IMDb)
- 1990 — First TV appearance as part of PJ & Duncan (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
- 2006 — Married Lisa Armstrong (BBC News)
- 2018 — Knee surgery, addiction, car accident, split from Armstrong (The Mirror)
- 2021 — Divorce finalized, married Anne-Marie Corbett (BBC News; IMDb)
- May 2024 — First son born (reported) (Metro)
- 2025 — No confirmed second pregnancy; continues TV work with Dec
The pattern: the timeline shows a clear before-and-after — the 2018 crisis was the pivot point that reshaped everything.
Clarity: what we know and what we don’t
Confirmed facts
- Ant McPartlin suffers from depression and anxiety (The Mirror)
- He had an addiction to prescription painkillers and alcohol (The Mirror)
- He divorced Lisa Armstrong in 2021 (BBC News)
- He married Anne-Marie Corbett in 2021 (IMDb)
What’s unclear
- Whether Ant McPartlin’s wife is expecting a second baby
- The exact ages of his stepdaughters
- The full nature of Declan Donnelly’s health issues (if any serious)
- Exact details of his son’s birth (reported but not publicly confirmed)
- The exact number of stepchildren (reported as two but not officially confirmed)
The pattern: the confirmed facts are well-documented, while the unknowns reflect intentional privacy.
Quotes and perspectives
“I was in a dark place. I was taking painkillers, I was drinking too much. I was not the person I wanted to be.”
— Ant McPartlin, speaking to The Sun in 2019 about his addiction and split with Lisa Armstrong (The Sun (UK tabloid))
“Ant is my brother. We’ve been through everything together. His recovery has been incredible to watch.”
— Declan Donnelly, commenting on Ant’s recovery in a 2020 interview (The Mirror)
“I am pleased that the divorce has been finalised and I can now move on with my life.”
— Lisa Armstrong, statement through her representative in 2021 (BBC News)
The pattern: each quote reflects a different stage of the same story — the breakdown, the recovery, and the closure.
Summary
Ant McPartlin’s story is not a simple redemption arc — it’s a case study in how public pressure and private addiction can collide, and what it takes to rebuild. For the 48-year-old father now raising a son and two stepdaughters, the real test isn’t ratings or awards; it’s staying sober and present. For fans who have followed him since Byker Grove, the question becomes: can the Ant who crashed in 2018 stay the course that the Ant who became a dad in 2024 has set?
en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, imdb.com, znaki.fm, fr.wikipedia.org, de.wikipedia.org, metro.co.uk, metro.co.uk, rottentomatoes.com, mirror.co.uk, heart.co.uk, bbc.co.uk, mediacurrent.net
Frequently asked questions
What is Ant McPartlin’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated at £60 million, largely from his television career with Declan Donnelly (The Mirror).
How tall is Ant McPartlin?
He is 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) tall.
When did Ant McPartlin marry Anne-Marie Corbett?
They married on 7 August 2021 (IMDb).
What happened in Ant McPartlin’s car accident?
In March 2018, he was involved in a drink-driving crash in London. He was later charged and fined £86,000 (BBC News).
Does Ant McPartlin have any siblings?
He has a sister, Sarah McPartlin, who is a model and TV presenter.
Is Ant McPartlin still working with Declan Donnelly?
Yes, they continue to present Britain’s Got Talent and other projects together (Wikipedia).
Did Ant McPartlin ever have a solo career?
He briefly had a solo presenting role in 2020 hosting Ant & Dec’s DNA Journey, but remains primarily part of the duo.
These questions cover the public’s most frequent queries about Ant McPartlin’s personal life.
Related reading
- Konnie Huq: Blue Peter, Husband Charlie Brooker, Children & More
- Steve-O: Sobriety, Health Condition, and Life Updates
For more stories on celebrity biographies, see the links above.
Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.