Declan Donnelly has confirmed the birth of his second child, a boy, with wife Ali Astall – just two weeks after the sudden death of his older brother.
The TV host confirmed the surprise birth in an Instagram post shared with followers on Sunday night, revealing that they had named the child Jack Anthony Alphonsus.
The newborn’s name is in part a tribute to Dec’s longtime presenter Ant McPartlin and his Northern Irish father, Alphonsus Donnelly, who died in 2011 after battling cancer.
The news of the birth comes as the TV personality, 46, mourns the loss of his Roman Catholic priest brother Dermott after his unexpected death at age 55 on July 8.
Happy news: Declan Donnelly has confirmed the birth of his second child, a boy, with wife Ali Astall – just two weeks after the sudden death of his older brother
Dec – who is also raising three-year-old daughter Isla with his wife – wrote on his social media platforms: “Shortly before 10am yesterday, 23.7.2022, Ali and I welcomed the arrival of our son, Jack Anthony Alphonsus, as a very welcome bright spot.
“He’s amazing and Isla is more than excited to be a big sister.”
Dec accompanied the message with a photo of his newborn son’s tiny hand clutching his finger.
Dec and Ali became parents for the first time in 2018 and welcomed daughter Isla Elizabeth Anne into the world in August of that year.
Ant and Dec’s official Twitter page confirmed the exciting news at the time with a sweet photo of their newborn daughter gently holding her proud father’s hand.
An accompanying caption read: ‘Ali and I are delighted to announce the arrival of our baby, Isla Elizabeth Anne, who was born just after 9am this morning. Mother and daughter are both doing well, daddy is head over heels! dx’
December is set to rest his beloved brother at a funeral this Friday after racing to be with his sibling Father Dermott Donnelly after collapsing earlier this month.
The priest’s death was later confirmed by the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle.
Friends and family of Father Donnelly, who died aged 55, will gather in Newcastle next week to say an emotional goodbye and pay their respects.
Pay respect: Declan Donnelly, 46, will rest his beloved brother at a funeral next Friday before he leaves to film I’m A Celebrity (pictured in May)
In addition to loved ones from Dec’s parents’ native Ireland, priests and clergy from the northeastern region of England, where Dermott served in the Catholic Church, will be in attendance, according to the Mirror.
The Donnelly family said in a statement: “Due to space limitations, we would encourage those wishing to participate in the Requiem Mass on Friday, July 29, to gather at St Michael’s Church.
Mass will be streamed live and Holy Communion will be made available. After the Requiem Mass, Father Dermott’s procession will pass by St. Michael’s Church for those who wish to pay their respects.’
Sad news: The TV star rushed to stand by his father Dermott Donnelly’s side after he collapsed earlier this month, but the priest later died after a serious illness (father Dermott pictured in 2015)
Father Dermott was hospitalized after a series of illness and his body will be admitted to St Michael’s, Newcastle on Thursday.
In a statement following Dermott’s death, the Donnelly family said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of Father Dermott Donnelly who passed away peacefully in hospital this afternoon.
“This is a great shock to all of us.
“Please pray for the peace of his soul and keep his family, especially his mother, in your prayers at this difficult time.”
Siblings: Declan Donnelly’s brother (center) died aged 55 after being rushed to hospital with a ‘mysterious illness’ (Pictured: Ant and Dec with Dec’s brother Dermott)
Heartache: The TV host wrote on Twitter: ‘I am devastated to tell you that my dear brother Fr Dermott, @TweeterPriest, sadly passed away this afternoon’
An insider had previously revealed to: The sun how Dec – half of the presenting duo Ant and Dec – had returned to the North East of England to join his family at Father Dermott’s bedside.
They told of the priest’s loved ones praying for him to “get through” after becoming “extremely unwell” in hospital.
The source said: “Dec arrived with other family members. There are about twelve in the hospital.’
Father Dermott conducted Dec’s 2015 wedding to Ali Astall for a star-studded guest list, which included star’s TV sidekick Ant McPartlin and presenter Dermot O’Leary.
The Durham pastor was also recently photographed outside 10 Downing Street after being invited by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to join religious leaders in praying for peace in Ukraine.