Yahoo News Ant McPartlin smiles at heavily pregnant wife's bump as they join Jamie Redknapp for meal
Ant McPartlin spent a day out with his pregnant wife Anne-Marie Corbett, and was seen holding her hand and beaming down at her bump ahead of him becoming a father for the first time.
The 48-year-old TV presenter was seen with his Anne-Marie as they met up for lunch with pal and former Liverpool FC footballer Jamie Redknapp at The River Cafe in London. Jamie, who has been married twice like Ant, is father to two teenage sons from his previous marriage to Louise Redknapp, and welcomed his third child, son Raphael, with Frida in November 2021.
In addition to his own children, Jamie is also a stepfather to Frida's four children from her previous marriage to American hedge fund tycoon Jonathan Lourie.
Similarly, Ant is a stepfather to Anne-Marie's children from her first marriage. Earlier this week, Simon Cowell shared some fatherly advice with Ant, saying: "It will be life-changing.", reports the Mirror.
The music mogul, who welcomed his own son Eric in 2014, has developed a strong friendship with Ant over their years of working together and often discusses the finer points of parenting.
Discussing the close-knit Britain's Got Talent team, Simon reflected: "Bruno, I've known for probably 40 years. Amanda I've worked with for more than 20 years, Alesha I did a show with in America. We have a real friendship, it's the same with Ant and Dec. Over the years, we have got really, really close, and it makes the show so much more fun to do."
He also expressed his enthusiasm about Ant's impending fatherhood to the Mirror, and said: "When I heard Ant was going to become a dad, I told him it would be the best thing that ever happened to him. I basically said the first nine months are a bit strange because they can't talk to you."
"I remember saying to Lauren about Eric at one point: 'I don't think he likes me'. But then after a year everything changes and it's hilarious, it's great fun, and you'll really really enjoy it. And it will be life-changing for him. I'm really happy for both of them."
Earlier in the year, Ant McPartlin reflected on his decision to take a break from one of ITV's most beloved series, explaining that it was time to prioritise family. Since 2002, Ant and Dec have been the faces of the much-loved Saturday Night Takeaway, but they've decided to put the show on hold after its 20th series concluded this month.
"We love making Saturday Night Takeaway, but reaching the milestone of 20 series seemed like the perfect time to pause for a little while and catch our breath," Ant revealed last year, confirming the temporary halt of the iconic programme.
In a chat in February, ahead of the final series premiere, Ant elaborated on their decision to temporarily halt the popular show. "On a more personal level, part of the reason we're pausing Takeaway is we need a break ourselves, and we need to spend some time with our family," confessed the well-known TV star.
Speaking to Fault magazine, the soon-to-be father added: "We've both got children that we need to spend time with for a little bit. We need time to think and, and time to step back and look at the bigger picture and just see where we are now."
Ant shares two stepchildren with his wife Anne-Marie, whom he wedded in a romantic ceremony in 2021. The couple's path to joy has been an emotional rollercoaster.
The Britain's Got Talent host ended his marriage with makeup artist Lisa Armstrong in 2018 and found love again with his former PA, Anne-Marie, just six months later, causing quite a buzz among fans and media alike.
Despite all the speculation, Ant has always insisted that there was no overlap or wrongdoing. "I don't feel the need to defend Anne-Marie but I will say you've got to be careful judging other people's relationships or what you think is the truth that's been put out there," Ant candidly expressed in an interview with The Sun.
Friends of the TV star have previously made it clear that Anne-Marie was not involved in his past marital split, nor was Ant a factor in her own marriage ending. Before becoming Ant's partner, Anne-Marie worked as his personal assistant and shared two daughters with her former husband, businessman Scott Corbett.
Their marriage ended in 2017, and Ant has since taken to the role of stepfather with enthusiasm.
In an intimate conversation with The Telegraph, Ant discussed his life as a stepfather as he and his presenting comrade Dec announced a new media venture aimed at helping disadvantaged young people, in partnership with The Prince's Trust. He praised the social awareness of his stepdaughters, aged 13 and 15, acknowledging their heightened consciousness compared to his younger self.
"I've got two step-daughters, 13 and 15 and they are more socially aware at that age than I was in my mid-20s," he revealed. "Than I still am."
Ant continued, expressing his belief in the younger generation's potential to address global issues: "It's not going to be our generation that saves the world. Look at Greta Thunberg, single-handedly almost making the world aware of climate change. It's that kind of energy that this generation has got and they'll save the rest of us. We're just trying to make it easier for them."
