Ant McPartlin has dreamed of becoming a father for decades.
And now that the star is 48, it appears his wife Anne-Marie Corbett is expecting their first child.
The former personal assistant, 46, beamed as she arrived at Heathrow Airport yesterday on her way to a New Year holiday in Dubai, appearing to be three months pregnant.
Wearing a loose black dress and a yellow wool jacket, she smiled as she pushed her luggage toward the terminal.
Meanwhile, McPartlin beamed as he wished his fellow passengers a Merry Christmas.
Ant McPartlin has dreamed of becoming a father for decades. And now that the star is 48, it appears his wife Anne-Marie Corbett is expecting their first child
It was to be the final part of the couple's love story, who met after meeting while working for McPartlin and his former wife
One onlooker said: “He couldn't stop smiling, he looked like the happiest man in the world.”
It was to be the final part of the couple's love story, who met after meeting while working for McPartlin and his former wife Lisa Armstrong.
The ITV star credits Ms Corbett, who has two teenage daughters with her ex-husband, with helping him overcome his alcohol and drug addictions.
Rumors have been circulating for several months that the couple might be pregnant – particularly after Ms Corbett decided against flying to Australia to be by her husband's side while he appeared on ITV's I'm A Celebrity. moderated.
Instead, he was there alone, while his co-star Declan Donnelly was accompanied by his wife Ali Astall and their two children Isla, five, and Jack, one.
However, friends say McPartlin's ex-wife Armstrong will be “very upset” if her former partner's happy news is confirmed – as she too was desperate to become a mother.
In fact, it is believed that she and McPartlin tried to have a child for several years and she was devastated when their marriage ended in 2018, still childless.
Making things even more difficult for make-up artist Ms Armstrong, who shares a brown Labrador named Hurley with her ex-husband, is that Ms Corbett worked for her as an assistant before she started dating McPartlin.
The beaming couple were seen en route to a New Year's holiday in Dubai on Wednesday wearing matching cardigans and carrying luggage
It's the first time they've been seen together in public for some time, as Ant is busy filming I'm A Celebrity
A friend said: “Anne-Marie was Lisa's friend and she was instrumental in getting her the job with the McPartlins.”
“Lisa sent Anne-Marie’s children birthday and Christmas presents, she even went on vacation with them, and then, boom, everything changed.”
McPartlin always openly expressed his desire to become a father.
In 2013, he revealed the couple's difficulties, saying: “There's a rumor that I'm holding off on having children until Dec turns out to be Mrs Right.”
“I love this idea, but I'm afraid it's not true.” Lisa and I would like to have children. We try it. “It’s harder than you think when you get older.”
McPartlin and Ms Armstrong – a former singer in the now-defunct pop band Deuce – married in a lavish ceremony at Cliveden House in Berkshire in 2006.
They split in September 2018 after he checked into rehab for addiction issues.
Rumors have been circulating for several months that the couple could be pregnant after Ms Corbett decided against flying to Australia while Ant was hosting I'm A Celebrity (Ant and Dec pictured with winner Sam Thompson).
Instead, he was there alone, while his co-star Declan Donnelly was accompanied by his wife Ali Astall and their two children Isla, five, and Jack, one (Anne-Marie, Ant, Dec and Ali in 2021).
Friends say McPartlin's ex-wife Armstrong will be “very upset” if her former partner's happy news is confirmed – because she was desperate to become a mother (pictured at her wedding in 2006).
A long divorce dispute followed, which primarily centered around the TV star's £60 million fortune.
Ms Corbett separated from her husband Scott Corbett shortly before she began dating McPartlin.
The presenter and Ms Corbett married in 2021. Two years earlier he had described her as a “lifesaver”.
He said, “She was my rock.” She is a beautiful soul. We are very happy. I'm in the best place I've ever been in my life. It is great.'