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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Susan Knox

Dec Donnelly's lifelong desire to be a dad as he announces birth of baby son

Declan Donnelly announced the birth of his baby son with wife Ali Astall on Sunday after he previously admitted that it was a life-long dream of his to become a father.

The I'm A Celebrity host, 46, said his second child as a 'welcome ray of light' following the death of his brother earlier this month.

The joyous news came as huge surprise to fans as the loved-up couple had not announced they were expecting a second child.

Taking to Twitter, Dec shared the wonderful family news as he wrote: "Shortly before 10am yesterday, 23.7.2022, Ali and I welcomed the arrival of our son, Jack Anthony Alphonsus, a very welcome ray of light. He is wonderful and Isla is beyond excited to be a big sister! D x."

Declan and Ali are already proud parents to daughter Isla, and before the proud parents welcomed kids together, the BGT host said it had always been his dream to be a dad.

Dec and Ali have welcomed a second child together (PA)

Family-loving Dec, who is one of seven children born to Irish Catholic parents, had frequently spoken of his desire to have kids in the past.

Dec and Ali, who first began dating in August 2013, are understood to have started trying for a baby soon after they married.

Back then, Dec said having children was 'the next stage' in their lives' and that he was 'really looking forward to that.”

Dec announced the happy news on Twitter (@antanddec)
The TV star had always dreamed of being a dad (Getty Images)

And asked in 2017 if he would like children, the much-loved TV star said: “Absolutely at some point, when the time is right.

"Hopefully, as Ant says, if it comes along, then it would be great.”

On another occasion, the BGT star said: “Kids are absolutely one of the things on the cards for us.”

And following the current news of Dec and Ali's second baby, fans flocked to Twitter to congratulate the proud parents.

Fans flocked to Twitter to congratulate the proud parents (David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)

One tweeted: "NO WAY!!! did anyone know Ali was pregnant?!?!? My jaw is on the floor."

Another commented: "A huge congratulations to both you and Ali, Dec!"

A third wrote: "Congratulations Dec and Ali your children are going grow up like their parents. Dec I have a question What does it feel like being a farther I am so happy for you Dec. Please reply back Dec."

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