Dec Donnelly and wife Ali about to become parents amid pal Ant's troubles. He feels 'heartache'

The television personality and presenter announced that he and his wife were expecting their first child together. Their announcement comes at a time when Declan Donnelly’s friend is having problems.

Donnelly having a child is a bit bittersweet for his friend, Ant McPartlin, because he had also wanted to have children but couldn’t. The announcement of Donnelly having a child came out on March 25, 2018, according to The Sun.

Donnelly, 42, and Ali Astall, 40, who married in 2015, have shared the news of the pregnancy. This comes at a time when Donnelly’s TV partner Ant McPartlin just went into rehab after his drunk-driving crash arrest.

It was thought that Astall got ­pregnant shortly after her husband left the jungle in December 2017. This was following the last series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!.

The Mirror reported that McPartlin, an ITV presenter, recently entered a treatment center for the second time for prescription drug and alcohol addiction. He has found his friend's good news bittersweet following the collapse of his 11-year marriage to Lisa Armstrong in January 2018.

A source has revealed that 'Ant is thrilled for Dec and Ali but the news sparked other emotions because he has always wanted children.’ The baby announcement comes after the Geordie entertainer collided with two other cars after taking his dog for a walk in Richmond Park last week and was later arrested.

'The news has sneaked out a little earlier than we had hoped but Ali and I are delighted to be expecting our first child. Thanks for all the love, we really appreciate it.'

Declan Donnelly, Daily Mail, March 26, 2018

It’s been reported that the star had veered into the wrong lane after coming round a sharp bend, hitting a green Mini before crashing into a BMW X5. Last week, McPartlin confirmed that he had entered into a treatment facility and had withdrawn from all TV commitments.

Last weekend's episode of Takeaway had also been canceled. Donnelly has spoken for the first time following reports that he is expecting his first child with his wife.

The host confirmed the news in a brief statement published on social media platform Instagram on Sunday evening. With the post, he shared a black and white image from his 2015 wedding to Astall.

Earlier that day he was seen out and about in London, hours after it was reported that his wife was pregnant. The TV star was seen returning to his home, dressed casually in jeans and a baseball cap.

The baby announcement came at a time as Donnelly was preparing to host Saturday Night Takeaway solo next weekend. The star and his wife are said to be ‘delighted to be expecting - especially since they have been trying for some time.'

According to a source, the couple has been keeping the pregnancy a closely guarded secret. But now that Astall is safely over 12 weeks, they were starting to let people know.