Declan Donnelly and wife Ali Astall welcome a baby girl
Declan Donnelly said he is ‘head over heels’ with his new daughter!
On Saturday morning, Declan Donnelly and his wife Ali Astall welcomed a baby girl and have named her Isla Elizabeth Anne.
Sharing the news with his 6.7 million Twitter followers, Dec posted an adorable photo of the baby’s hand wrapped around his finger with the following message: ‘Ali and I are thrilled to announce the arrival of our baby girl, Isla Elizabeth Anne, who was born just after 9 ‘clock this morning.
‘Mother and daughter both doing well, Dad is head over heels! Dx’
The post has amassed nearly 150,000 likes over the weekend, with celebs such as Ruth Langsford and Davina McCall congratulating the I’m A Celeb presenter on the birth of his first child.
Ruth commented: ‘Congratulations Dec & Ali…wonderful news. I expect little Isla will be wrapping you around her little finger from now on…!’
‘Awwwwwwwwww,’ Davina added. ‘Ali!!! Dec!!! So please [sic] for you both!!! I’m available for babysitting.’
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Just hours after Isla’s birth, Ant McPartlin was seen heading to a London hospital to meet the newborn before posting on Twitter: ‘Welcome to the world baby Isla Elizabeth Anne. Can’t wait for cuddles. I love you already!! Uncle Ant xxxxx.’
Despite Ant’s recent absence from the limelight following his rehabilitation, fans were quick to respond to the Saturday Night Takeaway presenter's Tweet to say what a fantastic uncle he’ll be to baby Isla.
One person commented: ‘The best uncle she could wish for xx,’ while another added: ‘I’m sobbing my heart out. This is the sweetest. We love you Ant.’
Isla’s birth comes just before Dec heads to Australia to film the new series of I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here alongside Holly Willoughby while Ant continues his break from TV work.
Dec and Ali married in Newcastle in 2015 after dating for only a year. However, the pair have known each other for over a decade as Ali was his manager.
Dec confirmed Ali was expecting back in March this year.
Dec and Ali chose one of the most popular baby names of recent years, Isla, which is of Spanish/Scottish origin and means ‘island’.
The name was the fourth most popular baby girl name in 2016.
They also chose the name Anne, meaning ‘grace’, after Dec’s mum.
The baby’s other middle name Elizabeth is of Hebrew origin and means ‘pledged to God’.
Congratulations Dec and Ali!
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