Declan Donnelly and wife Ali Astall have announced that the full name of their new son Jack shares nods to best friend and TV co-star Ant McPartlin as well as his late father.
The couple revealed the birth of their child online on Sunday (July 25) – with the official Ant and Dec Twitter account posting: “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.”
Read more: Declan Donnelly and Ali Astall share baby news after birth of second child
Declan and Ali married in 2015. Ali gave birth to their daughter, Isla Elizabeth Anne, in 2018.
After the birth of their latest child, the couple has now announced that baby Jack Donnelly's middle names are Anthony and Alphonsus, which means Jack shares names with Dec's friend and co-presenter, Ant McPartlin, and Dec's late father, Alphonsus.
Dec's dad, Alphonsus - who moved to Newcastle from Northern Ireland in the 1950s with Dec's mother, Anne - died in 2011.
Tragically, Dec also lost his older brother earlier this month, Father Dermott Donnelly, a Hexham and Newcastle Diocese Catholic priest who worked for 30 years in the North East.
After posting online about the latest addition to the Donnelly family on Sunday, one fan wrote on Twitter: "Congratulations to you, Ali and Isla! I’m sure your brother is watching with so much love for you all. I bet Ant is so moved by you giving your son his name. Much love to you all," while another added: "The fact he’s named his son after his best mate and his dad makes my heart melt," said another.”
Several famous faces also left messages of congratulations and well wishes under the Instagram post, including Love Island host Laura Whitmore, who wrote: “Delighted for you both! Congrats xx” with a red heart emoji.
Meanwhile, County Durham TV favourite, Scarlett Moffatt, added: “Congratulations. Delighted for you all. Love all the Moffatts.”
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