Ant McPartlin: Addiction, Divorce, and New Fatherhood
There’s something about Ant McPartlin that makes people root for him — for over three decades, he’s been half of Britain’s most beloved presenting duo, yet his personal life has often read like a drama series. Between his very public battle with prescription painkiller addiction, a high-profile divorce, and stepping onto the red carpet with a new wife and a baby boy, McPartlin’s story is about the messy business of starting over.
Born: 18 November 1975 ·
Occupation: TV presenter, producer, comedian, former singer/rapper ·
Spouse: Anne-Marie Corbett (m. 2021), Lisa Armstrong (m. 2006–2018) ·
Children: 1 (son Wilder) ·
Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) ·
Estimated net worth: £62 million
Quick snapshot
- Began career as a child actor on Byker Grove (The Childrens Media Foundation)
- Battle with prescription painkiller addiction after 2015 knee surgery (The Sun)
- Married Anne-Marie Corbett on 7 August 2021 (Wikipedia)
- Received an OBE in 2017 for services to broadcasting (Express)
- Exact net worth figures vary between sources (Yahoo Style UK)
- Full details of his divorce settlement remain private (BBC News)
- Whether he will have more children (he has expressed interest) (The Sun)
- The precise timeline of his recovery process (The Sun)
- 1990: Meets Dec Donnelly at drama class (The Childrens Media Foundation)
- 2018: Announces separation from Lisa Armstrong (BBC News)
- 2021: Marries Anne-Marie Corbett (Wikipedia)
- 2024: Becomes father for the first time (Wikipedia)
- Continuing his TV career alongside Dec Donnelly (The Childrens Media Foundation)
- Focus on fatherhood and family life (The Sun)
- Potential expansion of producing roles (Wikipedia)
- Ongoing public speaking about addiction recovery (BBC News)
Seven key facts about Ant McPartlin, one pattern: a career built on partnership, with personal life unfolding in phases that the public has followed every step of the way.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Anthony David McPartlin |
| Born | 18 November 1975 (age 50) |
| Occupation | TV presenter, producer, comedian, former singer/rapper |
| Spouse | Anne-Marie Corbett (m. 2021), Lisa Armstrong (m. 2006–2018) |
| Children | 1 son (Wilder, born 2024) |
| Net worth | Estimated £62 million |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
What illness does Ant McPartlin have?
Ant McPartlin’s addiction to prescription painkillers
- McPartlin suffered a knee injury in 2015 and was prescribed painkillers; he later admitted he became addicted (The Sun).
- The addiction escalated to the point where he was taking high doses, affecting his behaviour and relationships (The Sun).
His time in rehab and recovery
- He entered rehab for the first time in 2017 (The Sun).
- A second stint in rehab followed in 2018 after a car crash that made national headlines (The Sun).
- McPartlin has spoken openly about his struggles with depression alongside the addiction (The Sun).
The pattern: addiction unraveled his personal and professional life, but also became the catalyst for a complete reset.
McPartlin traded a decade of peak TV earnings for an indefinite break from the spotlight. The cost: an estimated £10 million in lost opportunities during his absence from I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2018.
What this means: his recovery required financial sacrifice but proved his priorities had shifted.
Why did Ant split with Lisa?
The timeline of their marriage
- McPartlin married make-up artist Lisa Armstrong in 2006 after several years of dating (BBC News).
- In January 2018, the couple confirmed their separation after 11 years of marriage (BBC News).
- The divorce was finalized in 2020 (BBC News).
Reasons for the split: addiction and irreconcilable differences
- McPartlin’s addiction to painkillers put enormous strain on the marriage.
- He publicly apologized, stating: “I’m very sorry.” (BBC News)
- Reports suggest the couple had grown apart, with McPartlin’s focus on recovery conflicting with their lifestyle (BBC News).
Divorce settlement and aftermath
- The divorce was reported to be one of the most expensive in UK showbiz, with Lisa receiving a settlement reported to be around £31 million (Express).
- Lisa has largely stayed out of the public eye since the settlement (BBC News).
“I’m very sorry.”
— Ant McPartlin, BBC News, on the breakdown of his marriage to Lisa Armstrong
The implication: the financial cost of the divorce was high, but the emotional toll remains private.
McPartlin’s ex-wife Lisa Armstrong has not spoken publicly about the divorce in detail. The agreement remains one of the few concrete financial outcomes visible to the public, but the emotional terms of the split are known only to the couple.
The catch: while the settlement was public, the personal resolution is not.
Are Ant and Dec still friends?
Their enduring partnership since childhood
- McPartlin and Declan Donnelly met at age thirteen on the set of Byker Grove (Wikipedia).
- They signed a record contract in 1993 as PJ & Duncan and had fourteen top twenty hits (The Childrens Media Foundation).
- Their first exclusive ITV1 contract came in December 2000 (The Childrens Media Foundation).
How they supported each other through Ant’s struggles
- Dec publicly supported Ant through both rehab stints, presenting solo during Ant’s absence from I’m a Celebrity in 2018.
- Dec said at the time that Ant’s health was the priority, reinforcing their bond (The Sun).
Continued work on shows like I’m a Celebrity and Saturday Night Takeaway
- The pair have hosted I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! since 2002.
- They also present Britain’s Got Talent and the now-ended Saturday Night Takeaway.
- Together they have won 39 National Television Awards and 13 BAFTAs (The Childrens Media Foundation).
“He’s my best friend.”
— Dec Donnelly, public statements, during McPartlin’s rehab years
The pattern: their bond has been tested by crisis but emerged stronger because Dec prioritised the person over the professional.
For the UK TV industry, the Ant-and-Dec partnership is arguably the most resilient in British entertainment. Unlike many showbiz duos, their personal bond survived a near-catastrophic health crisis, largely because Dec refused to treat it as a business decision.
What this means: the friendship is not just a brand but a genuine foundation that allows both to continue working together.
How many wives has Ant McPartlin had?
First marriage to Lisa Armstrong (2006-2018)
- They married in 2006 in St. Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle (BBC News).
- No children from this marriage (BBC News).
- Divorce finalized in 2020 (BBC News).
Second marriage to Anne-Marie Corbett (2021-present)
- McPartlin married Anne-Marie Corbett, his former personal assistant, on 7 August 2021 (Wikipedia).
- The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Wilder, in 2024 (Wikipedia).
- McPartlin has said he wants more children (The Sun).
Comparison of his two marriages
- First marriage: long-term, public, ended amid addiction crisis.
- Second marriage: quieter, more private, focused on family and recovery.
Two marriages, one clear shift: from the public glare of a showbiz relationship to the guarded privacy of a recovery partnership.
McPartlin’s second marriage came with a price: the public scrutiny of his relationship with Anne-Marie, who was his employee. The couple have had to navigate tabloid pressure that would test any relationship.
The implication: his second marriage represents a deliberate retreat from the spotlight, but it came with its own challenges.
How many children has Ant McPartlin?
Welcoming his first child, son Wilder, in 2024
- McPartlin and Anne-Marie Corbett welcomed their first son in May 2024 (Wikipedia).
- The Sun reported in 2024 that McPartlin was set to become a father for the first time at age 48 (The Sun).
- He described becoming a father as making him “a mess” (Famous Birthdays).
Previous childlessness with Lisa
- McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong had no children during their 12-year marriage.
- The couple reportedly had different priorities during that period (BBC News).
His hopes for more children
- McPartlin has expressed a desire to expand his family (The Sun).
“I’m a mess.”
— Ant McPartlin, Sky News, on becoming a father for the first time
The pattern: fatherhood arrived late but has become the central motivation for staying healthy.
What this means: his parenting years will overlap with the later stage of his on-screen career, a dynamic few in his position have managed.
How old is Ant McPartlin?
Birth date and age calculation
- Anthony David McPartlin was born on 18 November 1975 in Newcastle upon Tyne (Wikipedia).
- As of 2025, he is 50 years old (Wikipedia).
Career milestones by age
- Age 13: met Dec Donnelly on Byker Grove (The Childrens Media Foundation).
- Age 18: signed first record contract (The Childrens Media Foundation).
- Age 25: signed exclusive ITV1 contract (The Childrens Media Foundation).
- Age 41: received OBE for services to broadcasting (Express).
- Age 42: entered rehab for the first time (The Sun).
- Age 48: became a father (Wikipedia).
Physical attributes and height
- Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) (Wikipedia).
McPartlin’s age at key life milestones tells a story of delayed adulthood. He became a father at an age when many TV presenters are retiring, which means his parenting years will intersect with the downward slope of his on-screen career — a dynamic few in his industry have navigated.
The implication: his timeline reflects a life lived out of sync with typical showbiz trajectories, making his second act all the more remarkable.
Timeline: Ant McPartlin’s life in events
- 1990: Meets Declan Donnelly at drama class; begins lifelong partnership (The Childrens Media Foundation).
- 2006: Marries Lisa Armstrong (BBC News).
- 2015: Suffers knee injury; becomes addicted to prescription painkillers (The Sun).
- 2017: First stint in rehab (The Sun).
- January 2018: Announces separation from Lisa (BBC News).
- 2018: Second rehab stay after car crash (The Sun).
- 2020: Divorce from Lisa finalized (BBC News).
- 7 August 2021: Marries Anne-Marie Corbett (Wikipedia).
- May 2024: First child, son Wilder, born (Wikipedia).
The timeline’s inflection point is 2015. For McPartlin, that knee injury didn’t just cause physical pain — it triggered a chain reaction that cost him his marriage, nearly his career, and forced a complete re-evaluation of his life.
znaki.fm, dominiclevent.com, facebook.com, imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, verhaalbron.nl
Readers interested in Ant McPartlins health and family journey can find a comprehensive timeline of his recovery and personal milestones.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ant McPartlin’s real name?
His full name is Anthony David McPartlin (Wikipedia).
How did Ant and Dec meet?
They met at age thirteen on the set of the children’s TV show Byker Grove in 1990 (The Childrens Media Foundation).
What TV shows does Ant McPartlin present?
He presents I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and Britain’s Got Talent alongside Dec Donnelly.
Has Ant McPartlin written a book?
No, he has not published a memoir or autobiography.
What happened to Ant’s first marriage?
McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong separated in 2018 after 11 years of marriage, with the divorce finalized in 2020 (BBC News).
What is Ant McPartlin’s most famous role?
He is best known for his 30-year presenting partnership with Declan Donnelly on ITV.
Does Ant McPartlin have any siblings?
He has two younger brothers, Simon and David.
For readers tracking the arc of British television royalty, McPartlin’s story is no longer about a presenter who lost his way. It’s about a 50-year-old man who, after losing nearly everything to addiction, rebuilt his life on terms his younger self couldn’t have imagined. The implication: redemption is possible, but it requires a level of public vulnerability that few entertainers are willing to show.
Related reading
- Jeremy Allen White: Divorce, Sobriety, Kids & Net Worth — Another story of a performer navigating addiction and family life.
- Jonathan Rhys Meyers: What Happened to His Sobriety and Career — A parallel look at talent and recovery in the entertainment industry.
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