Simon Cowell congratulates Ant McPartlin on becoming a dad on BGT

By Hannah Mcdonald

22:00 27 May 2024, updated 22:36 27 May 2024

Simon Cowell congratulated Ant McPartlin on becoming a dad as the first live semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent kicked off on Monday.

The presenter, 48, shared the news that he and his wife Anne-Marie had welcomed a son called Wilder – Ant’s first child – two weeks ago. 

As the first live show of the 2024 talent show began, Simon used the moment to congratulate his long-time friend and colleague Ant live on air on becoming a father.

Simon, 64, said: ‘I’d like to congratulate you on becoming a dad Ant, I’m really happy for you.’

The audience then cheered at the reference to Ant’s new father-status, as the presenter thanked Simon for his words and the gift he had sent him upon the arrival his baby boy. 

BGT viewers were quick to comment on the sweet moment, hailing how happy the presenter appeared. 

They wrote on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Simon saying congrats to ant and him having the biggest smile my heart,’;

‘Aww Simon sent Ant a gift bless,’; ‘Awwww Simon congratulating Ant!!! ❤️❤️❤️,’; 

‘Simon congratulating ant becoming a dad and the birth of his baby boy and he’s happy for him,’;

‘Ant’s first time on live TV since the birth of his child and he’s happier than ever.’

Announcing the news Ant of Wilder’s birth earlier this month, Ant shared an Instagram snap sweetly cradling his baby boy. 

He wrote: ‘Born, 14/05/24 at 8.54am. Baby is beautiful, Mummy’s a legend, Sisters are over the moon. Dad’s a mess!’.

The baby will be Ant’s first while Anne-Marie has two children, Poppy, and Daisy, from her previous marriage.

Ant’s ex-wife Lisa Armstrong has since returned to social media for the first time since the presenter welcomed Wilder.

The makeup artist shared a cryptic post on her Instagram Stories stating that ‘behaviour never lies’.

Ant’s baby news is said to have shattered Lisa, who remains childless at 47 following her acrimonious divorce from the presenter.

Since the split, Lisa has had one constant source of support by her side – loyal Labrador Hurley. She shares joint custody of the beloved canine with Ant but reports say she wants sole possession of him – something he is said to have resisted.

But she has reportedly vowed to fight on for sole custody of the chocolate Labrador, who regularly features in her Instagram posts, where she refers to him as ‘Mama’s baby boy’.

Ant – known best as one half of presenting duo Ant and Dec alongside Declan – and Lisa adopted Hurley in 2013 following struggles to have a child of their own.

Ant is said to have refused to surrender full custody of Hurley to his ex during their reported £31million divorce battle, reportedly telling lawyers: ‘She can have anything she wants – except the dog.’

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.

Anne-Marie was said to have expressed a wish to care for the Lab full-time in February – and friends close to the make-up artist say that desire is stronger than ever following the birth of Ant’s firstborn.

‘She felt very betrayed by both Ant and Anne-Marie and felt that none of this has been handled sensitively, especially the announcement of the baby,’ sources have told The Sun.

‘The one thing that has got her through it and been by her side constantly is Hurley – she doesn’t know what she would do without him. He’s more than just a dog to her and has been a lifeline at times.’

They added: ‘Ant obviously loves Hurley as well but he now has a lot of other responsibilities and things going on in his life and Lisa can’t see why she can’t have full custody of him. She needs Hurley by her side.’

The former couple reportedly agreed to take it in turns to look after Hurley, with the arrangement seeing Ant’s chauffeur ferrying the dog between them so they did not have to see each other.

But the news of Wilder’s birth is said to have hit Lisa hard – particularly after she spent years supporting Ant during a tumultuous period that saw him battle a prescription drug addiction and a drinking problem.

His struggles with alcohol only became public in March 2018 – two months after he and Lisa divorced – when he was involved in a car crash and charged with drink-driving, for which he was fined £86,000.