ANT MCPARTLIN may be back at work after just six days of paternity leave, but his baby boy is still evidently on the brain.
The Britain’s Got Talent show host made a jokey reference to his newborn son while kicking off the semi-finals tonight.
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He is heading up the live show alongside friend and co-host Declan Donnelly.
Eight acts are set to perform tonight, with each of them hoping they have a chance to make it through to the last round of the competition.
While their eyes are on the prize, Ant is preoccupied with his son Wilder Patrick, who his wife Anne-Marie Corbett gave birth to last Tuesday.
The showbiz legend made an allusion to his first child on screen tonight.
Dec started reading off a checklist of items supposedly needed for BGT, which included nappies and other baby essentials, before Ant cut in laughing: “That’s my list you idiot!”
He also shared a bit of banter with the panel of judges after Simon paid tribute to the new dad, saying: “Can i just say congratulations to you Ant, I really am happy for you.”
The TV presenter replied: “Thank you. thank you very much. Thank you for your lovely gift. Judges – still waiting on yours!”
Britain’s Got Talent’s biggest ‘fix’ rows
Britain’s Got Talent has been plagued with ‘fix’ rows over the years. How many of these do you remember?
Jasmine Elcock – 2016: Teenage singer Jasmine Elcock stunned the nation with her version of Cher’s Believe. But it then transpired she had already performed professionally in London’s West End. Jasmine, 14, admitted: “I’ve performed in Annie in the West End at about the age of nine or 10, but I really get nervous.”
IrShad Shaikh – 2017: BGT fans were left questioning the rule book when IrShad Shaikh auditioned. He got four red buzzers from the judges, which would usually mean an instant dismissal. Yet in a strange turn of events, they let him continue with his act…and put him through to the next round.
Colin Thackery – 2019: Elderly war veteran Colin won BGT in 2019, but there was an outcry over the final. He warbled his place to win with a version of We’ll Meet Again but fans were furious that escapologist Jonathan Goodwin didn’t even rank in the top three. Viewers felt Jonathan – who almost suffocated while being buried alive in a gravel pit – should have won.
Axel Blake – 2022: Comedian Axel Blake was given a Golden Buzzer in 2022 after making the judges laugh. But fans were fuming when they discovered Axel already had a show on worldwide streaming platform Amazon Prime. Despite this, Axel still went on to win the series.
Loren Allred – 2022: The 2022 series of BGT was hit with another controversy when singer Loren Allred also received a Golden Buzzer. She performed Never Enough from the smash hit musical movie The Greatest Showman and got a standing ovation. It later transpired Loren was actually the original voice behind the track.
Taryn Charles – 2024: Singer Taryn Charles is one of this year’s hopefuls lucky enough to receive the Golden Buzzer. Bruno Tonilio put her straight through to the semi-finals following her performance of (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin, but it has now come to light that she is no stranger to TV. Viewers recognised Taryn from an episode of ITV1’s Starstruck, where she impersonated Whitney Houston for judges Olly Murs, Sheridan Smith, Adam Lambert and Beverley Knight.
Dec is said to have been coaching his co-star and best friend through being a dad for the first time.
The pair reunited yesterday to host The Prince’s Trust Awards at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London.
Now they will be introducing audiences to each semi-finalist of the night before returning home to their families.
The acts tonight include guitarist Sven Smith, 27, dog trainer Lucy Heath and her canine troupe The Trickstars, dancer Trey Braine, the Sslaubi Performance Troupe, cruise ship singer Taryn Charles, librarian turned rapper Bikoon, Ukrainian roller skaters Stardust, and opera singer Innocent Massuku.
Two acts from each semi-final this week will make it through to Sunday’s grand final – with one decided from a public vote and the second decided by the judges.