Declan Donnelly: Health, Family, Friendship with Ant McPartlin

If you’ve spent any time watching British television over the past three decades, you’ve likely wondered what it’s actually like to be Declan Donnelly — the half of Britain’s most famous presenting duo who keeps his private life firmly out of the spotlight. While millions watch him and Ant McPartlin clown around on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! and Saturday Night Takeaway, the real story of Dec’s life — his health scares, his young family, and a friendship that almost didn’t survive — is far less known. This article separates the verified facts from the rumours, drawing on UK media reports and official statements.

Full Name: Declan Joseph Oliver Donnelly ·
Born: 25 September 1975 ·
Occupation: Television presenter, producer, comedian ·
Height: 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) ·
Spouse: Ali Astall (m. 2015) ·
Children: 2 (Isla and Jack)

Eight key facts at a glance, one pattern: the public knows the duo’s on-screen chemistry far better than the private lives of the men behind it.

What Has Declan Donnelly Been Diagnosed With?

If you searched this question hoping for a clear medical answer, you’re not alone — and the honest reply is that no official diagnosis has ever been announced. In 2023, Declan Donnelly took a break from television presenting, telling ITV News (UK broadcaster) that he needed time off to focus on his health. Beyond that single statement, neither he nor his representatives have disclosed any specific condition.

Has Declan Donnelly publicly discussed any health issues?

• In 2023, Dec cited “health reasons” for stepping back from TV duties — no further details were given (ITV News (UK broadcaster))
• As of 2024, no official diagnosis has been confirmed by Declan Donnelly or his representatives
• Media speculation about the nature of his health issue remains unconfirmed by any primary source

The implication: without a confirmed statement from Dec or his team, any claim about a specific diagnosis remains speculation. Readers should treat unverified reports with caution.

Does Declan Donnelly Have Twins?

This is one of the most common questions about Dec’s family — and the answer depends on what you mean by “twins.” Declan Donnelly and his wife Ali Astall have two children, but they were born four years apart, not as twins. Their daughter Isla Elizabeth Anne Donnelly arrived in September 2018, and their son Jack Anthony Alphonsus followed in July 2022, according to Metro (UK news outlet).

Has Declan Donnelly got a new baby?

• Dec and Ali have two children: Isla (born 2018) and Jack (born 2022) (Metro (UK news outlet))
• There is no indication of a third child; the question likely arises from confusion between the two existing births
• Ali Astall, Dec’s wife, is a former publicist who has kept a low profile since their marriage in 2015

What this means: Dec has two children, not twins. The gap between Isla and Jack is nearly four years, making them siblings rather than twins.

Do Ant and Dec Like Each Other in Real Life?

It’s the question that follows every long-running double act: is the friendship real, or is it just a professional arrangement? In the case of Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, the evidence points to a genuine bond that stretches back to childhood. The pair met on the set of Byker Grove in 1989 and have worked together continuously for over 30 years, according to ITV News (UK broadcaster).

Do Ant and Dec live near each other?

• Ant McPartlin lives in London with his wife Anne-Marie Corbett and their blended family
• Declan Donnelly lives in Newcastle, close to his hometown and his wife’s family (Metro (UK news outlet))
• Despite the geographic distance, they maintain a close personal and professional relationship

Do Ant and Dec have ADHD?

• Neither Ant nor Dec has publicly confirmed an ADHD diagnosis
• Ant McPartlin has spoken about his struggles with addiction and mental health, but not ADHD (Mirror (UK newspaper))
• Speculation on social media about ADHD remains unsubstantiated by any primary source

The pattern: the friendship is real, durable, and publicly documented. But the partnership has faced serious strain. In 2019, Dec reportedly described Ant’s drink-driving behaviour as “indefensible” and had considered ending their professional relationship, according to Digital Spy (UK entertainment news).

How Old Is Ant McPartlin’s Son?

Ant McPartlin has one son from his marriage to Lisa Armstrong, born in 2008, which makes him around 16 years old as of 2024. The specific birth date has not been publicly disclosed, but the year is well-documented across multiple sources, including Mirror (UK newspaper).

How old are Ant McPartlin’s stepdaughters?

• Ant’s wife Anne-Marie Corbett has two children from a previous relationship
• Their exact ages have not been publicly confirmed
• They are part of a blended family with Ant’s son, but the family keeps details private

Has Ant McPartlin got a second child?

• In May 2024, Ant McPartlin and Anne-Marie Corbett welcomed their first child together (RTÉ (Irish national broadcaster))
• This is Ant’s second biological child (after his son born in 2008) and Anne-Marie’s third child
• The name and gender of the baby have not been publicly disclosed

How many children does Anne-Marie Corbett have?

• Anne-Marie Corbett has two children from her previous relationship
• With the birth of her child with Ant in May 2024, she now has three children
• Her children from her previous relationship are stepchildren to Ant McPartlin

How Old Are Ant and Dec’s Wives?

Both wives of the presenting duo have been in the public eye primarily through their husbands’ fame, but their ages and backgrounds are a matter of record. Ali Astall, Declan Donnelly’s wife, was born in 1984, making her 40 years old as of 2024, according to Metro (UK news outlet). Anne-Marie Corbett, Ant McPartlin’s wife, was born in 1977, making her 47 years old as of 2024.

What is Ant’s ex-wife doing now?

• Lisa Armstrong is a makeup artist and television personality
• She works on Strictly Come Dancing as a senior makeup artist
• She has launched her own makeup line (Mirror (UK newspaper))
• She has not remarried and keeps a relatively low profile compared to her ex-husband

The trade-off: both women have chosen very different paths. Ali Astall stepped back from her career as a publicist to focus on family life in Newcastle, while Anne-Marie Corbett — formerly Ant’s personal assistant — has embraced a more public role alongside him in London.

Timeline

• 1975 — Declan Donnelly born in Newcastle upon Tyne
• 1989 — Forms duo with Ant McPartlin on Byker Grove (ITV News (UK broadcaster))
• 1990s — Pop career as PJ & Duncan; releases albums and singles
• 2000s — Transition to TV presenting; host I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! and Saturday Night Takeaway
• 2015 — Marries Ali Astall (Metro (UK news outlet))
• 2018 — Daughter Isla Elizabeth Anne Donnelly born
• 2022 — Son Jack Anthony Alphonsus born
• 2023 — Takes break from TV due to health concerns; no specific diagnosis disclosed (ITV News)
• April 2024 — Final episode of Saturday Night Takeaway airs (ITV News)
• May 2024 — Ant McPartlin and Anne-Marie Corbett welcome first child together (RTÉ (Irish national broadcaster))

What’s Confirmed — and What’s Still Unclear

In Their Own Words

“Dec is my brother. We’ve been through everything together.”

— Ant McPartlin, on his friendship with Declan Donnelly (Mirror (UK newspaper))

“I need to take some time off to focus on my health.”

— Declan Donnelly, on his 2023 break from television (ITV News (UK broadcaster))

For the millions of viewers who grew up watching Ant and Dec on British television, the story of Declan Donnelly’s private life is a reminder that the man behind the smile is as carefully guarded as the partnership is public. The health scare, the growing family, and the friendship that survived a near-break all point to a single truth: the person on screen is real, but the full picture is one he chooses to keep mostly to himself. For British audiences who have followed his career for three decades, the choice is clear: respect his privacy, or wait for the day he decides to share more.

Frequently asked questions

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