Ant McPartlin is embarking on yet another season of the popular reality show, I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, but this year is set to be emotionally charged for the beloved presenter. The 2024 series marks the first time Ant is leaving his family behind since the birth of his son, Wilder, just six months ago. This milestone introduces new layers of sentiment as he prepares to spend three weeks away from his wife, Anne-Marie Corbett, and their baby.
Ant has co-hosted the show since its inception, entertaining audiences with his humor and charisma alongside his best friend, Declan Donnelly. This year, the duo will tackle the challenges of the jungle once more, but there's much more on Ant's mind than just the upcoming challenges. Sources close to him reveal he is feeling deeply emotional about the prospect of leaving his family behind. "Ant is feeling really emotional about being so far away from Anne-Marie and Wilder. It's the longest he has left them for and it's going to be so difficult," shared one insider.
This father's apprehension at the impending separation is palpable, especially considering the time difference between Australia and the UK. When Ant wakes up to film, it's likely his wife will have already tucked Wilder away for the night, intensifying his anxiety about missing those precious moments.
Ant became a father for the first time on May 14, 2024, when he welcomed Wilder with Anne-Marie, who is also mother to her two daughters from a previous relationship, Daisy and Poppy. The arrival of his son has undoubtedly filled his life with joy, but now he's grappling with the bittersweet reality of his commitments.
Ant’s significant shift toward family values became evident earlier this year when he and Dec decided to step back from Saturday Night Takeaway. Their decision, fueled by their desire to spend more time with their loved ones, highlighted the priority they place on family life.
On their approach to this year's I'm A Celeb, Ant admitted, "Part of the reason we’re pausing Takeaway is we need to spend some time with our family. We've both got children, and we need time to think about the bigger picture and see where we are now." The move was well-received, with fans acknowledging it as admirable, but now, Ant's commitment to I'm A Celebrity brings its own set of emotional hurdles.
The star-studded lineup for 2024 includes familiar faces such as Coleen Rooney, Oti Mabuse, and Tulisa Contostavlos. Ant expressed excitement over the lineup, seeing it as the best yet. The balance of focus between his personal life and professional responsibilities continues to shape Ant's experience as he navigates the balancing act of parenthood and television hosting.
Despite facing the challenge of being miles away from his family during the filming, Ant has made arrangements to keep the family connected. "Anne-Marie and Ant are going to stay in constant communication and FaceTime often, but it’s tough to navigate the time difference," the source added. He has ensured Anne-Marie has emotional support back home, knowing Wilder will be safe and well cared for.
Even with the emotional strain, Ant has the comfort of working alongside Dec, who has been vocally supportive. Dec is joined by his wife and children, creating a friendly environment to ease Ant's transition. Daily routines will be filled with supportive camaraderie as they both tackle their roles.
After landing in Australia, Ant couldn't hide his eagerness, being spotted with Dec and their families soaking up the Gold Coast sun. His heartfelt enthusiasm for the show is clear, even as he prepares himself to miss key milestones with his son.
On the personal front, Ant remains closely knitted to Anne-Marie and her daughters, which is reflected through his tattoo tribute to the women of his life, etched on his arm. Since the birth of Wilder, Ant has found his role as a father emotionally fulfilling. He previously shared on social media, "Welcome to the family, Wilder Patrick McPartlin. Baby is beautiful, Mummy’s a legend, sisters are over the moon. Dad’s a mess!" This highlights the new challenges and overwhelming joy fatherhood has brought him.
The emotional complexity of leaving home for work takes on new meaning for Ant as he reconciles his role as both entertainer and father. While he won't miss out on the fun and joviality of the show, the distance and time will force him to reflect on the precious moments he'll be missing behind the camera.
Ant's commitment to his family remains grounded, and as he steps back onto the reality stage, he does so with the awareness of the emotional costs associated with fame. The anticipation builds for another thrilling series of I'm A Celebrity, but for Ant, the true weight of the experience goes well beyond the jungle trials.
His statements throughout the weeks leading up to the show reveal the complicated inner workings of being away from family, especially with his fatherhood so fresh. While he is excited for the upcoming adventures, the emotional weight he carries as he begins this year’s I’m A Celeb speaks volumes about how much family means to him now.
With the series airing soon, fans can expect not only the thrilling antics of the contestants but also the human side of Ant—one filled with reflection, longing, and the ever-present tug of home.
While his presence will surely shine through on screen, viewers will also be tuning in to witness the nuances of his emotional connection to his hometown and family, proving once again, the reality television experience can reflect the reality of life away from television.
Wilder may not grasp the full weight of Ant's absence now, but the memories and stories shared under the stars of the jungle will one day be part of the family lore, and for Ant, that's the silver lining amid the emotional struggle of balancing work and fatherhood.
With anticipation fueled as the start date approaches, viewers can't wait to see how Ant channels his experience as both beloved host and dedicated dad, making this season unforgettable for everyone involved.
